Study links bananas, oats and yoghurt to greater diabetes risk in susceptible children
Children who are susceptible to type 1 diabetes and eat bananas, oats and yoghurt are more likely to contract the disease, while consuming strawberries and blueberries lowers the risk, research has found.
Wheat also emerged from the study as a risk factor for the autoimmune form of diabetes, while vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage have a protective effect.
The professor behind the findings said the fact that some fruits contain traces of pesticides may explain why some of them heighten, but others cut, the risk of type 1 diabetes.
Perplexing
Suvi Virtanen and colleagues at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare analysed the diet of 5 674 Finnish children who were genetically susceptible to the disease, following them from birth to the age of six. Ninety-four of the children had developed type 1 diabetes by that age and another 206 had developed islet autoimmunity, which meant they were at much higher risk of getting it.
The researchers analysed 34 different food groups and found that the more fruits such as bananas, oats or rye children ate, the greater their risk of getting the disease.
That finding may perplex parents because, Virtanen added, “many of the foods that we found to be associated with increased risk of type 1 diabetes and the disease process are considered part of a healthy diet”.
Lower risk
However, in contrast, eating strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and other berries seemed to protect children from the condition. The more they ate, the lower their risk.
“Berries are particularly rich in polyphenols, plant compounds which may dampen the inflammation that is associated with the development of type 1 diabetes.
“On the other hand, fruits may contain harmful substances that don’t occur in berries. For example, berries can be free of pesticides that are found on other fruits,” said Virtanen. She is presenting her findings at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Madrid.
Wheat also emerged from the study as a risk factor for the autoimmune form of diabetes, while vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage have a protective effect.
The professor behind the findings said the fact that some fruits contain traces of pesticides may explain why some of them heighten, but others cut, the risk of type 1 diabetes.
Perplexing
Suvi Virtanen and colleagues at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare analysed the diet of 5 674 Finnish children who were genetically susceptible to the disease, following them from birth to the age of six. Ninety-four of the children had developed type 1 diabetes by that age and another 206 had developed islet autoimmunity, which meant they were at much higher risk of getting it.
The researchers analysed 34 different food groups and found that the more fruits such as bananas, oats or rye children ate, the greater their risk of getting the disease.
That finding may perplex parents because, Virtanen added, “many of the foods that we found to be associated with increased risk of type 1 diabetes and the disease process are considered part of a healthy diet”.
Lower risk
However, in contrast, eating strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and other berries seemed to protect children from the condition. The more they ate, the lower their risk.
“Berries are particularly rich in polyphenols, plant compounds which may dampen the inflammation that is associated with the development of type 1 diabetes.
“On the other hand, fruits may contain harmful substances that don’t occur in berries. For example, berries can be free of pesticides that are found on other fruits,” said Virtanen. She is presenting her findings at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Madrid.
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