Avocado Intake Shown To Slash Diabetes Risk
New research from the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests a possible link between avocado consumption and diabetes risk in Mexican adults. Diabetes is a significant health concern in Mexico, impacting around 15.2% of adults and ranking as the second leading cause of death in the country. To explore this potential association, researchers analyzed survey data from a large portion of the Mexican population, focusing on dietary habits and diabetes diagnoses.
The study, which primarily included individuals with overweight or obesity, found that women who consumed avocados were less likely to develop diabetes compared to non-consumers. However, this protective effect was not observed in men. Data from the Mexican National Survey of Health and Nutrition (ENSANUT) between 2012 and 2018 were analyzed, encompassing 25,640 participants aged 20 and older.
Avocado consumption was assessed using a 7-day food-frequency questionnaire, with participants categorized as avocado consumers or non-consumers. The presence of diabetes was determined through self-reported diagnoses and clinical measures of blood sugar levels. Additionally, factors such as demographics, cardiometabolic risk factors, and lifestyle habits were taken into account in the analysis.
Results showed that avocado consumers tended to have higher education levels, belong to a higher socioeconomic class, and reside in urban areas. Furthermore, avocado consumers exhibited slightly higher scores on the healthy eating index, indicating a more nutritious overall diet. Adjusted models revealed a significant decrease in diabetes risk among women who consumed avocados, while no significant effect was observed in men.
Experts speculate that avocado’s antioxidant content, along with its high fiber and healthy fat content, may contribute to reduced inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity, factors associated with lower diabetes risk. However, further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and explore potential sex-specific differences in dietary effects on diabetes risk. The study underscores the importance of considering dietary factors in diabetes prevention and highlights the potential benefits of incorporating avocados into a healthy diet, particularly for women.
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