Diabetes results from insufficient production of insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.
After this key mechanism malfunctions, blood glucose can reach dangerous levels, leading to a chain of complications. Fortunately, new research suggests that certain fruits and vegetables can help ward off this condition.
According to a recent study, choosing certain colors in vegetables and fruits can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Fans of purple potatoes, radishes, and red cabbage can rejoice, as red, purple, and blue dyes have been linked to powerful effects.
Researchers from the University of Turku found that fruits, vegetables and tubers (plant roots) with these colors can reduce the risk of hyperglycemia by affecting energy metabolism, gut microbiota and inflammation.
And it all comes down to anthocyanins, which describe a group of antioxidants responsible for these deep colors in the product.
On the flip side, the likes of cranberries and white berries mostly contain non-acylated anthocyanins.
Cryogenic anthocyanins are poorly absorbed in the digestive process, but provide probiotic properties and reduce the risk of diabetes more efficiently than their non-acylated counterparts.
Furthermore, these anthocyanins can help maintain the balance of the gut microbiota, suppress pro-inflammatory pathways, and modulate glucose and lipid metabolism.
And if you’re looking for the perfect candidate to add to your shopping list, Chen explained that purple vegetables contain the most anthocyanins in general, with purple potatoes being the best in particular.
Once you eat these antioxidants, they travel through your body from your upper digestive tract to your colon.
The researchers concluded that the components in pomegranate juice “likely” regulate glucose metabolism in humans, and one of the active parts is anthocyanins.
