Diabetes is a serious medical condition in which the body does not use the hormone insulin efficiently. In type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or cells become resistant to insulin effects. On the other hand, type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the body produces little to no insulin. Research indicates that certain foods are better than others for diabetics.
Walnuts
Researchers from the University of Wollongong studied the impact of walnuts in overweight type 2 diabetics. Subjects were randomly assigned to a low-fat diet with or without 30 g of walnuts for one year. At the end of the study, scientists discovered that subjects following a walnut-rich diet experienced decreases in body weight and improvements in fasting insulin levels compared to those with a placebo. They reported their findings in the September 2009 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition."
Red Wine and Black Tea
In research published in the April 2008 issue of the "Journal of Food Biochemistry," researchers from the University of Massachusetts explored the impact of tea and red wine on glucose levels. They discovered that red wine and black tea had the highest effects of inhibiting the activity of alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that causes the absorption of glucose in the small intestine. This in turn helps control blood sugar levels.
High-Fiber Foods
Scientists from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center investigated the impact of dietary fiber on type 2 diabetics. For six weeks, type 2 diabetics were assigned to a diet with a moderate amount of fiber containing 24 g or a high-fiber diet containing 50 g of dietary fiber. At the end of the study, which was published in the May 2000 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine," researchers found that the high-fiber group decreased glucose levels and lowered cholesterol levels compared to the moderate fiber group. Fiber-rich foods include oatmeal, brown rice, sweet potatoes, wheat germ and green vegetables.
Vitamin D Rich Foods
Researchers from John Hopkins University School of Medicine investigated the relationship between vitamin D status and glucose control in type 2 diabetics. They discovered that type 2 diabetics with inadequate vitamin D levels had higher blood sugar levels compared to those with adequate vitamin D levels. Scientists presented their findings at the Endocrine Society's 92nd annual meeting in 2010. Vitamin D rich foods include dairy products, herring, eggs, tuna, salmon and green leafy vegetables.
References
- RefDoc.fr: Long Term Effects of Increased Dietary Polyunsaturated Fat From Walnuts On Metabolic Parameters In Type II Diabetes
- Science Daily: Red Wine, Tea, May Help Regulate Blood Sugar In Type 2 Diabetics, Research Suggests
- PubMed.gov: Beneficial Effects of High Dietary Fiber Intake In Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
- Science Daily: Poor Control of Diabetes May Be Linked to Low Vitamin D
