Type 2 diabetes has now grown into a real widespread disease and affects around seven million people in Germany. Fortunately, certain foods can help fight the disease — a new study shows.
Around seven to eight million people in Germany suffer from diabetes. 90 percent of them suffer from type 2 diabetes, which has a genetic component but is a preventable disease with the right lifestyle. Because while genes are a prerequisite, type 2 diabetes is only triggered by obesity, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet. But even those who are already ill can do something to positively influence the course of the disease. In addition to medication and physical activity, certain foods are particularly effective in fighting diabetes, a new study shows.
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New study: raspberries help against type 2 diabetes
Since type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest diseases of civilization, there are already numerous scientific studies on the subject. However, while many such studies are only carried out in the laboratory with cell cultures and are therefore of little significance for living people, a new meta-analysis also examined numerous clinical studies with human subjects. The review compared studies in which patients with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes were given between 40 and 250 grams of raspberries daily for up to eight weeks in addition to their normal meals.
The effects exceeded all expectations: In contrast to the control groups, the participants experienced a significant improvement in all parameters that make up type 2 diabetes. Not only did the blood sugar and blood lipid levels drop , but also the oxidative stress and the inflammatory markers in the blood. Liver values, heart health and insulin sensitivity also improved , resulting in relief for the pancreas. Last but not least, the leptin level in the blood of the subjects rose – the hormone is involved in satiety and therefore plays a major role in reducing excess weight.
Best of all, it didn’t matter if the raspberries were fresh or frozen . So you can do something good for your blood sugar levels and your risk of diabetes all year round!
That’s why raspberries are so healthy
The researchers attributed the surprisingly positive results to several ingredients in the raspberries: On the one hand, the red berries belong to those types of fruit with an extremely low glycemic index – they only contain small amounts of sugar. On the other hand, they are rich in fiber and, above all, full of so-called anthocyanins . These phytochemicals belong to the group of polyphenols and are only found in a few foods, which is a shame because, in addition to the blood sugar-lowering effect, they also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and improve fat metabolism.
Other foods for type 2 diabetes
- Cinnamon promotes the absorption of sugar into the cells, which causes the blood sugar level to drop more quickly after eating.
- Flaxseeds have an anti-inflammatory effect due to the omega-3 fatty acids they contain and are extremely high in fiber. Fiber delays the absorption of sugar from the gut into the bloodstream, causing blood sugar levels to rise slowly and steadily rather than steeply.
- Garlic also has an anti-inflammatory effect and not only reduces blood sugar but also bad LDL cholesterol.
You can find out here which other foods can regulate the blood sugar level and thus prevent type 2 diabetes: 9 foods against high blood sugar >>
