Here’s food for thought: Two new studies, one from Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and the other from Illinois Institute of Technology, discovered that eating strawberries regularly may reduce risk factors for diabetes, one of the most significant chronic diseases affecting Americans today. The research uncovered a direct correlation between frequency of strawberry intake and reduced risk factors for diabetes.
The first study found that when obese adults with insulin resistance, a condition that dramatically increases person’s risk for type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes, consumed beverages containing different amounts of whole strawberry powder prepared in a beverage and drank with a meal, peak glucose was blunted with less insulin in individuals who consumed the highest amounts tested, about three to four servings of strawberries with their meal.
The second study, which included over 37,000 non-diabetic middle-aged women, found that those who had at least two servings of strawberries each week had a significant 19% lower risk of developing diabetes. Further, the researchers looked at the women’s hemoglobin A1c, a marker for high blood sugar. Women who ate more strawberries may be less likely to have an elevated hemoglobin A1c exceeding 6 percent.
Collectively, the data presented from these researchers have important implications for diabetes disease risk reduction efforts through diet.
Tips On Enjoying Strawberries
A serving of strawberries is 1 cup, or about eight berries.
- Toss sliced strawberries over a green salad and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
- Top your morning cereal with sliced strawberries.
- Dip fresh strawberries in dark chocolate.
- Freeze whole strawberries and use them to cool your cocktails.
For more information, including creative recipes, visit www.californiastrawberries.com.