|
|
| | |
|
Blueberries Demonstrate
Strong Anti-Diabetic Potential
New Research... Antioxidants, Carotenoids,
Flavonoids & Phytonutrients From Berries and
Their Value For Supporting Cardiovascular
Health and Diabetes
A daily smoothie containing bioactive ingredients from
blueberry increased sensitivity to insulin, and may reduce
the risk of developing diabetes in at-risk people, reports a
new study.
Obese, non-diabetic, and insulin-resistant participants
who consumed a blueberry smoothie daily for six weeks
experienced a 22 percent change in insulin sensitivity,
compared to only 4.9 percent in the placebo group, state
findings published in the Journal of Nutrition.
“To our knowledge, this is the first reported human study
that evaluated the effect of daily dietary supplementation
with bioactives in blueberries on whole-body insulin
sensitivity in obese, non-diabetic, and insulin-resistant men
and women,” wrote the researchers at the Center for the
Study of Botanicals and Metabolic Syndrome, Louisiana
State University System.
“The uniqueness of this study relates to the design, which
was randomized, double blinded, and placebo controlled.
By design, the blueberry and placebo smoothies were
identical in physical appearance and macronutrient content
with the exception of adding the blueberry bioactives to the
blueberry smoothie. The major finding was that daily
consumption of whole blueberry bioactives for 6 wk improved
insulin sensitivity in a population at high risk for type-2 diabetes
compared with ad libitum dietary intake alone,” they added.
Consumer interest in blueberries and the compounds they
contain has increased in recent years, following results from
studies reporting a wide range of health benefits, most notably
for brain health and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s.
The beneficial effects of the blueberries are thought to be
linked to their flavonoid content - in particular anthocyanins
and flavanols. Despite numerous studies reporting the benefits
of blueberries, no human study has looked at the effects of
higher blueberry consumption on insulin sensitivity in people
at high risk of developing type-2 diabetes.
The research team recruited 32 obese, non-diabetic, and
insulin-resistant subjects with an average age of 51.5, and
an average BMI of 37.4 kg/m2. Participants were randomly
assigned to receive a smoothie containing 22.5 grams of
blueberry bioactives or a ‘placebo’ smoothie of equal
nutritional value. Two smoothies were consumed every day
for six weeks.
At the end of the study, 67 percent of people in the blueberry
group experienced “at least a 10 percent or greater favorable
change in insulin sensitivity, whereas only 41 percent of the
placebo participants demonstrated this change”, they stated.
On the other hand, no changes in BMI, body fat, or markers
of inflammation were observed, said the Baton Rouge-based
researchers and they further noted... “The bioactives in
blueberries enhanced insulin sensitivity independent of any
changes in inflammatory biomarkers or adiposity,”
“This study is not conclusive, but it strongly suggests a need
to further explore the cellular mechanism for the effect. “In
addition, our study suggests the need for studies of longer
duration that will evaluate blueberries and their potential role
in improving insulin sensitivity in an insulin-resistant human
population,” they concluded.
The United States Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC)
prepared the freeze-dried whole blueberry powder used in
this study. Funding was obtained from the USHBC, the NIH,
and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine and the Office of Dietary Supplement.
Source: Journal of Nutrition
(Published online)
“Bioactives in Blueberries Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Obese,
Insulin-Resistant Men and Women”
Interested in Preventing Diabetes
The Natural Nutritional Way?
View Vitamin Power Antioxidant Formulas
and order online, or call us toll free at 1-800-645-6567.
Sign up for our e-mail newsletter filled with news and
helpful health information.
You have the power to improve your nutritional health
and Vitamin Power is here to help.
| |
| | |
|
|
|