RESEARCH BITE
 

MORE FIBER AND LESS DIABETES!!

A six-year study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association in December 2008 said that people with diabetes who eat more high-fiber grains, vegetables and fruits can better their blood sugar and possibly avoid the need for additional diabetes medications.

During the study, 4500 patients with type 2 diabetes spent eight weeks eating the amount of fiber recommended by the American Diabetes Association - 24 grams a day. They then upped their intake of fiber to 50 grams for the next eight weeks. (Among the foods added to their diets were papayas, oranges, oat bran. No fiber supplements were taken). Not only did the patients see striking improvement in their blood sugar levels, they found their cholesterol levels improved as well.

High fiber grains lower the need for insulin by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates, and preventing surges in blood sugar. 

MYTHS and Facts

Myth: If you don′t have a family history of diabetes then you won′t get it.

Fact: Diabetes tends to be an inherited trait that runs in families, but plenty of people diagnosed with the disease don′t have a family history of diabetes. Weight and lifestyle also play a major role in developing diabetes.

Myth: Diabetics can feel whether their blood sugar levels are high or low

Fact: There is no way to know your blood glucose levels except for testing them. A diabetic may feel physical symptoms if blood sugar levels are high or low. But some people may not show symptoms when their blood glucose is too high or low.

Diabetes causes about 5% of all deaths globally each year.

Myth: Diabetics should not eat fruits.

Fact: It is a false notion that diabetics should not eat fruits. One can consume fibre-rich fruits like sweet lime, oranges, guavas, amla, and fruits that are high in water content like watermelon, musk melon, papaya, plums as these help to control blood sugar levels.

Fruits like mango, chickoo, custard apple, banana and grapes should be restricted as they have a higher sugar content.