Summary and introduction
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between fruit, vegetable and fruit juice consumption and the development of type 2 diabetes.
Research design and methods: A total of 71,346 nurses aged 38 to 63 years, free from cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes in 1984, were followed for 18 years and dietary information was collected using a semi-quantitative questionnaire on food frequency every 4 years. Diabetes diagnosis was self-reported.
Results: During follow-up, 4,529 cases of diabetes were documented and the cumulative incidence of diabetes was 7.4%. An increase of three servings/day in total fruit and vegetable consumption was not associated with the development of diabetes (multivariate adjusted hazard ratio 0.99 (95% CI 0.94-1.05)), whereas the same increase in whole fruit consumption was associated with lower fruit and vegetable consumption. risk of diabetes (0.82 (0.72-0.94)). An increase of 1 serving/day in green leafy vegetable intake was associated with a slightly lower risk of diabetes (0.91 (0.84-0.98)), whereas the same change in juice intake of fruit was associated with an increased risk of diabetes (1.18 (1.10). -1.26)).
Conclusions: Consumption of fruit and green leafy vegetables was associated with a lower risk of diabetes, while consumption of fruit juice may be associated with an increased risk in women.
Introduction
The global burden of type 2 diabetes has increased rapidly alongside the rise in obesity. The most recent estimate of the number of people with diabetes worldwide in 2000 was 171 million, and this number is expected to increase to at least 366 million by 2030.(1) In epidemiological studies, fruit and vegetable consumption has been associated with decreased incidence and mortality from various health problems, including obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.(2,3,4) However, few prospective studies have examined the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and diabetes risk, and the results are not entirely consistent.(5,6,7,8,9,10)
Differences in nutrient content of fruits and vegetables by group could lead to differences in health effects. Additionally, the role of fruit juices may be important and has not been well studied. Although fruit juices may have antioxidant activity,(11) they lack fiber, are less filling, and tend to be high in sugar. To further explore the role of fruit and vegetable consumption in the development of diabetes, we examined the association between consumption of all fruits and vegetables, specific groups of fruits and vegetables, and fruit juices among women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study dietary cohort.
