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What are the benefits of raspberries for prediabetes?

A study conducted in the United States determined the health benefits of raspberry for glucose control in individuals with prediabetes.

Glucose control is the first and most essential step in diabetes.

Prediabetes is defined as a condition with blood glucose levels in between the normal and diabetic ranges.

Such individuals are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Individuals with prediabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer’s disease.

According to statistics in 2015, 34% of American adults—nearly 84.1 million—are prediabetic.

The importance of diet and lifestyle in glucose control

Diet and lifestyle habits play a vast role in improving glucose control.

The typical Western diet, rich in easily available carbohydrates and fats, contributes to high blood glucose and lipid levels.

In contrast, a healthy diet can reduce the rate of conversion of pre-diabetes to diabetes within three years, by nearly 58%.

Previous studies proved that regular intake of certain polyphenols can help glucose control and decrease the risk of diabetes, just as the metabolites of anthocyanins in strawberries.

Red raspberries are rich sources of anthocyanins and dietary fiber

Red raspberries are rich in anthocyanins and dietary fiber.

Hence researchers from the Illinois Institute of Technology conducted a study, which was published in the journal Obesity, to investigate the effect of red raspberries on glucose control of pre-diabetic people.

Raspberries showed promising results in this study.

This study included 32 adults between 20-60 years of age with impaired fasting blood glucose levels between 5.6mmol/L and 7.0 mmol/L, fasting insulin more than the 50th percentile cut-off, and insulin resistance greater than 2.5.

Individuals with normal blood glucose levels (blood glucose less than 5.6mmol/L and insulin resistance less than 1) were used as a reference.

Their blood samples were collected on three separate days, after a pre-determined breakfast.

The breakfast meals had different amounts of frozen red raspberries but with equal calories and nutrients- one meal with no raspberries, one with a cup of raspberries, and the third one with two cups of raspberries.

Blood samples were collected eight hours after breakfast with a final sample at 24 hours, and the levels of glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were determined.

Oxidative stress (damage to tissues caused by free radicals) was also measured in terms of inflammatory marker levels.

Red raspberries showed benefits for prediabetes

As a whole, pre-diabetes people had a marked response to raspberries in comparison to the reference group.

Red raspberries in the diet significantly altered peak glucose and post-meal insulin levels in prediabetics compared with the individuals with no raspberries in their diet.

Triglyceride levels and oxidative stress markers did not show any significant difference with raspberry consumption.

Limitations of the study

This study provided new information on the health benefits of red raspberries, proportionate to the number of berries consumed.

However, specific components of red raspberries that impact blood glucose control were not discussed.

Raspberries did not show any effect on lipid levels, while previous studies demonstrated reduced triglycerides with berry intake.

Further studies are, therefore, required to investigate the effect of raspberry on blood lipid levels.

Red raspberries may help delay diabetes development

Regular physical exercise and healthy dietary habits are essential for healthy living, especially in diabetic-prone and obese persons.

This study highlights the fact that simple measures like regular intake of red raspberries can contribute to improved blood glucose control and delay the development of full-blown diabetes in pre-diabetic individuals.

In the words of Britt Burton-Freeman, Ph.D., director, of the Center for Nutrition Research at Illinois Tech stated in a press release, “For people who are at risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health risks, knowing what foods have protective benefits and working them into your diet now can be an important strategy for slowing or reversing progression to disease. People at risk for diabetes are often told to not eat fruit because of their sugar content. However, certain fruits – such as red raspberries – not only provide essential micronutrients, but also components such as anthocyanins, which give them their red color, ellagitannins, and fibers that have anti-diabetic actions.”

Written by Dr. Radhika Baitari (M.S)

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References:

  1. Xiao D, Zhu L, Edirisinghe I, Fareed J, Brailovsky Y, Burton-Freeman B. Attenuation of Postmeal Metabolic Indices with Red Raspberries in Individuals at Risk for Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial [Internet]. 2019 [cited 24 March 2019]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22406
  2. A new study shows red raspberries may help with glucose control in people with pre-diabetes [Internet]. EurekAlert!. 2019 [cited 24 March 2019]. Available from: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-02/iiot-nss022519.php
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