Blueberries Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk

PORTLAND, MaineDaily consumption of whole blueberries increases insulin sensitivity and helps reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes in both men and women, according to a new study published in the October issue of The Journal of Nutrition.

To our knowledge, this is the first reported human study that evaluated the effect of daily dietary supplementation with bioactives in blueberries on whole-body insulin sensitivity in obese, non-diabetic, and insulin-resistant men and women with such precise metabolic techniques," wrote Dr. William T. Cefalu of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University. Our data suggested that the inclusion of blueberries in the diet of our treatment group as compared to a control group had favorable effects on factors  related to the development of diabetes."

Previous research also have shined a spotlight on how eating antioxidant-rich wild blueberries offers numerous potential health benefits, including lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, preventing memory loss, lowering blood pressure, fighting wrinkles, boosting immune systems and fighting the effects of aging.

Nutrition Advisor Susan Davis, MS, RD remarked on the results of the Cefalu study: Dr. Cefalus study breaks new ground in terms of how whole foods like blueberries may help prevent serious health conditions like Type 2 diabetes," she noted. Study subjects consumed a smoothie every day. This is easily replicated at home. Including blueberries, but particularly wild blueberries, due to their higher concentration of anthocyanins, into your daily diet is a smart nutrition choice. Wild blueberries have so many wonderful properties in a perfect package. These little berries taste great; are easy to add to any meal; and store well in the freezer and retain their taste, texture and nutritional properties. What other food comes close?"