A large-scale study conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare in Helsinki has revealed that the consumption of most fruits and certain grains may trigger the development of diabetes. Researchers also identified specific foods that can help combat the disease.
The scientists focused particularly on how children’s diets might influence the onset of Type 1 diabetes (T1D), a lifelong condition where the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas.
According to the researchers’ predictions, the incidence of T1D in children is expected to double over the next 20 years. Finland, by the way, has the highest rate of this disease in the world, affecting 52.2 children per 100,000.
How Was the Study Conducted?
The team monitored 5,674 children from birth until they turned six. During this period, their parents kept detailed records of their children’s diets. All the children involved in the study were genetically predisposed to T1D. By the age of six, 94 of them had developed the disease, while another 206 exhibited what is known as islet autoimmunity—a precursor to T1D.
Researchers noted that the disease was most prevalent among those who consumed higher amounts of fruits, oats, and rye, as reported by New Atlas. The team also pointed out that eating more bananas, wheat, and fermented dairy products like yogurt was linked to the development of islet autoimmunity.
But There’s Good News
The researchers found that children who ate more raspberries, blueberries, black currants, cranberries, and other berries reduced their risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. They also observed a connection between a lower likelihood of islet autoimmunity and the consumption of more cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.
“Berries are particularly rich in polyphenols—plant compounds that can help reduce inflammation associated with the development of Type 1 diabetes,” noted researcher Suvi Virtanen, who led the study. “On the other hand, fruits may contain harmful substances that are absent in berries,” she added.
According to the researcher, further studies are needed to determine which specific compounds in foods influenced the development of T1D.
For now, the team is hesitant to make any dietary recommendations based on their findings, as all the foods linked to the development of T1D also have numerous health benefits.
“Many of the foods we found to be associated with an increased risk of Type 1 diabetes are considered part of a healthy diet; it’s important that our results are replicated in other studies before anyone considers making changes to their child’s diet,” emphasized Ms. Virtanen.
The researchers will present their findings at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Madrid.