A new study published in British Medical Journal has found eating high amounts of green leafy vegetables helps significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Researchers reviewed six studies involving 220,000 men and women to examine the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study led by Patrice Carter at the University of Leicester found men and women who ate one and a half extra servings of green leafy vegetables a day reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus by 14 percent.
The studies suggest that increasing daily intake of green leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, could significantly lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and should be investigated further.
Carter et al. believe that the risk reduction may be due to antioxidants and magnesium in green leafy vegetables.
However, an editorial comment in the same journal cautioned that while green leafy vegetables show promise, people are advised to concentrate on increasing their overall intake of fruits and vegetables.
While not conclusive, the study adds weight to the growing body of evidence that lifestyle changes can materially affect the risk and control of type 2 diabetes.
