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Eating more blueberries, apples and pears linked to reduced risk of diabetes

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Indianapolis, April 16, 2012 — There is now even more reason to try fresh produce as recent research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that increased intake of blueberries, apples and pears may be associated with a reduced risk of diabetes.

“There is an old saying ā€˜you are what you eat,ā€™ and what this research tells us is there seems to be strong benefits from eating certain whole fruits, vegetables and grains,” said Dr. Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, a physician at Wishard Health Services and an associate professor of clinical medicine and pediatrics and faculty member for the Indiana University School of Medicine Division of Adolescent Medicine.

Dr. Rohr-Kirchgraber said while doctors have recommended healthy eating for years, there now seems to be evidence pointing to specific foods and the benefits that exist. She said it is important that the public understands the research, as many processed juices have lots of sugar and added ingredients that make them very unhealthy.

“We are talking about the actual whole fruit and the health advantages that comes from eating blueberries, apples and pears,” she said.

The new work, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, parallels a study published in the same journal last year associating flavonoid-rich fruits such as blueberries and apples with a reduced risk of high blood pressure.

According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 26 million Americans have the disease. It’s caused by a defect in the body’s ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone that converts glucose in the blood into energy. Type 2 diabetes can usually be controlled with exercise and diet changes and without insulin. Overall, one in 10 U.S. adults, or 10 percent, has been diagnosed with diabetes, compared to 6 percent who have experienced cancer, the ADA reports.

Dr. Rohr-Kirchgraber said one of the primary causes of this rise has to do with people’s diet and lifestyle choices.

“Early intervention is key to reducing the chances of developing diabetes,” Dr. Rohr-Kirchgraber said.

Once you develop diabetes, some of the first symptoms are an increase in urination, thirst and hunger. These are all related to the rising blood glucose levels. Dr. Rohr-Kirchgraber said often, however, the development of these symptoms is subtle and diabetes is often “silent” or goes undiagnosed.

The American Diabetes Association therefore recommends routine screenings for diabetes to begin at approximately age 45. The screening can be done at a younger age given certain risk factors that include individuals who are overweight or obese, individuals with a family history of diabetes, or individuals with medical problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease. The screening commonly involves a fasting blood sugar, although a casual (random) blood glucose can also be used. A fasting blood glucose level of greater than 100 mg/dl is considered to be ā€œpre-diabetes,ā€ and losing 5-7 percent of your body weight with diet and exercise at these blood glucose levels can significantly reduce the chances of developing full blown diabetes.

Dr. Rohr-Kirchgraber explained that once diabetes has been established, and if the blood glucose levels remain untreated, the risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and blindness increases.

For more information on diabetes or the services Wishard provides, call Health Connection at (317) 655-2255.

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