Eating more fruits, especially blueberries , apples and grapes, may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal .
It turns out that blueberries reduce the risk by 26% . However, this only applies when we consume whole fruits , not their juice - then the effect is different.
The findings are based on three different studies conducted by researchers from the United Kingdom, the United States and Singapore. The summary results show that 6.5% of the participants (12, 198 out of 187, 328) developed type 2 diabetes .
Researchers ask questions related to fruit consumption - they are interested in how often and exactly what fruit participants consume. After analyzing the results, they found that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is significantly reduced in people whose diet most often contains blueberries , apples and grapes.
The scientists explain that these fruits contain the highest amounts of anthocyanins , which are known to support glucose absorption . In addition, fruits contain polyphenols, whose beneficial effects on the body are known.
Scientists are continuing their research, trying to determine whether the juice of these fruits would have the same beneficial effect on the body. However, their discovery is not the same. Moreover - they even report a slight increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Hence the advice of scientists is clear - to replace the consumption of fruit juices with whole fruits!
The explanation is that fruit juice contains less of the nutrients found throughout the fruit. In the process of squeezing the juice, the fruit is removed, leaving only the liquid substances. They are absorbed faster by the body, while increasing blood sugar and insulin levels if they contain sugars.