Does eating fruits and vegetable decrease the risk of diabetes?

January 01, 0001

Does eating fruits and vegetable decrease the risk of diabetes?

Diet is often discussed in terms of causes of and treatment for diabetes. These UK researchers investigated the intake of fruit and vegetables on incidence of type 2 diabetes via a systematic review and meta- analysis. They searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, British Nursing Index (BNI), and the Cochrane library for medical subject headings and keywords on diabetes, prediabetes, fruit, and vegetables. Additionally, expert opinions were solicited and reference lists of relevant articles were checked. They included prospective cohort studies with an independent measure of intake of fruit, vegetables, or fruit and vegetables as well as data on incidence of type 2 diabetes.

The researchers found: "Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Four of these studies also provided separate information on the consumption of green leafy vegetables. Summary estimates showed that greater intake of green leafy vegetables was associated with a 14% (hazard ratio 0.86) reduction in risk of type 2 diabetes. The summary estimates showed no significant benefits of increasing the consumption of vegetables, fruit, or fruit and vegetables combined."

The researchers concluded: "Increasing daily intake of green leafy vegetables could significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and should be investigated further."

This study finds a possible role of green leafy vegetable consumption in decreasing the incidence of diabetes, but no such role for the consumption of fruits and other vegetables.

For the full abstract, click here.

BMJ 341:c4229, 19 August 2010 © 2010 Fruit and vegetable intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis -- Carter et al.
Fruit and vegetable intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus- systematic review and meta-analysis. Patrice Carter, Laura J Gray, Jacqui Troughton, Kamlesh Khunti, and Melanie J Davies. Correspondence to P Carter: [email protected]

Category: T. Endocrine/Metabolic/Nutritional. Keywords: fruits, vegetables, diet, diabetes, incidence, systematic review and meta-analysis, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 10 September 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.