Reduce diabetes risk by eating green vegetables

By Brandie Umar - Executive Director of Content | March 29th, 2011

The recommended daily allowance is five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. If two of these portions are made up of green vegetables the risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduces by 14%, according to research published today in the BMJ.

Numerous studies have quantified the health benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, with special emphasis placed on the ability of vegetables to reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer, however this study is the first to define a link between green vegetables and diabetes. The study, conducted by the University of Leister on 222,000 people found that 122 grams, or 1 1/2 servings of leafy greens a day reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 14 %.

Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, affects over 300 million people worldwide. The frequency of diabetes type 2 diagnoses is increasing causing worry for doctors monitoring the condition. Diabetes type 2 is often linked to obesity and recent research has shown that weight loss surgery can often reverse the onset of diabete

s. Todays' research however could prevent diabetes initially developing.

According to the research, when compared to people who consumed less than 1/2 a serving of leafy green vegetables a day, those who ate an increased amount of vegetables such as kale, spinach and green cabbage could reduce the risk of diabetes developing by 14%. The exact reason for a link between a reduced diabetes risk and green vegetables is as yet unclear and additional research will be conducted, however leafy green vegetables are high in magnesium, Vitamin C and have numerous anti-oxidant properties which could account for the health benefits.

Eating green vegetables alone will not help prevent diabetes; researchers urge people to strive towards a healthy diet eating a minimum of 5 fruit and vegetables a day, reducing the amount of saturated fats and exercising frequently.