Discover the two foods that help prevent diabetes

A study carried out by researchers at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy, found that drinking a glass of milk or eating a pot of yogurt every day decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 10% and 6%, respectively.

In contrast, data showed that red and processed meat (such as bacon and sausage) increase the risk of triggering the disease by up to 30%. The results were published in the scientific journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.

As explained by the doctor and lead author of the study, Annalisa Giosuè, dairy products are rich in nutrients, vitamins and other bioactive compounds which can favorably influence glucose metabolism, the body’s processing of sugar.

“Probiotics are also known to exert beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, which may explain why we found that regular yogurt consumption is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes,” Giosuè wrote in a statement.

Also Read: 10 Foods That Help Control Diabetes

Risks of eating red and processed meat

According to research data, consumption of 100g of red meat a day increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 22%. For people who consume 50g of processed meats, the chances of triggering the disease increase to 30%. The 50g serving of white meat also showed an increase, but only by 4%.

As Giosuè explained, red and processed meats are rich in saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and heme iron, known to cause chronic low-level inflammation and oxidative stress, which can reduce the sensitivity of cells to insulin. Processed meats also contain nitrates, nitrites and sodium which can damage the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.

“To reduce the risk of diabetes, consumption of red and processed meat should be restricted; a moderate consumption of dairy products, milk and yogurt, can be encouraged; moderate amounts of fish and eggs are allowed,” the study authors concluded.

Also read: Diet for diabetes: food tips, myths and menu

How was the study done?

The scientists analyzed data from 13 previous scientific reviews, involving 175 studies that looked for a relationship between the consumption of 12 foods of animal origin and the development of type 2 diabetes.

The list of foods analyzed in the survey includes beef, lamb and pork red meat; white meats such as chicken and turkey; processed meats such as bacon and sausages; and fish. Full-fat and reduced-fat dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt, and eggs were also evaluated.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body is resistant to the effects of insulin, a hormone that regulates the entry of glucose into cells, or does not produce enough insulin to meet the body’s demands.

According to the Brazilian Diabetes Society, more than 16 million people live with diabetes in Brazil — which represents 6.9% of the population. The country is the fifth in incidence of diabetes in the world and, according to an estimate by the Diabetes Atlas of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the incidence of the disease in 2030 will reach 21.5 million people.

Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as a sedentary lifestyle and excessive consumption of carbohydrates, are some of the main risk factors associated with the disease. Symptoms can appear years after the onset of the disease and include constant thirst, the urge to urinate several times and weight loss for no apparent reason.

If not treated properly, type 2 diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease, kidney disease and circulatory problems.