Add berries to your shopping list this week. Any berry will do: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, you can’t go wrong! According to a new study, berry eaters may be at a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers reviewed data from over 400,000 folks and found those who consume berries may reduce their incidence of developing type 2 diabetes by 15%-18%! This is HUGE.
So, what is it about these berries that make them so fabulous? Besides fiber, vitamins and minerals, berries contain antioxidants. One antioxidant in particular is center stage here: anthocyanin. Anthocyanin has some fantastic anti inflammatory properties and the ability to reduce blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. AMAZE. Side note: insulin resistance is the body’s inability to use insulin properly. You would prefer to use insulin properly. You don’t want any insulin resistance. You want your body to use the insulin your pancreas makes to help get sugar out of the blood stream and into your cells where it can do it’s J O B.
Before you plant your backyard with berries galore, it’s super important to remember that not one food can be the be all end all in disease prevention. Think of your friends who consume berries on the reg. Chances are they probably already eat pretty healthy and are quite active (you know the girls who love to run and are crazy active on class pass or studio hop!). I bet they don’t smoke either. With that being said, this is a pretty exciting meta-analysis.
According to the CDC, 29.9 million people have diabetes and 8.1 million people don’t even know it. Somethings we can’t control (like our family history of diabetes and our age….despite how much we botox we inject!). The good news, some things you can control (your weight/waistline, diet, exercise and the decision to smoke). The ball is in your court. I’m not saying it’s easy, but it is nice to know that hard work can pay off.