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Listen to Story A study has found that certain childhood diets may influence the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. New research presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) suggests that consuming fruit, oats, and rye during early childhood was associated with a higher risk of type 1 diabetes, while eating berries seemed to offer some protection. Type 1 diabetes is a long-term autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Insulin is a hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar levels and enabling cells to use glucose for energy. While the exact triggers for this immune response are unclear, it is believed to involve both genetic and environmental factors, including diet and possibly viral infections. The condition is the most common form of diabetes in children, and its incidence is rising globally.
By 2040, cases are expected to more than double, from 8.4 million in 2021 to 17.4 million worldwide.
Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. (Photo: Getty) The research followed 5,674 children with a genetic predisposition to type 1 diabetes from birth to the age of six.
The study found that children who consumed more fruit, oats, and rye had a higher likelihood of developing type 1 diabetes by age six. On the other hand, berries such as strawberries , blueberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants appeared to offer a protective effect, with children who ate more berries being less likely to develop the disease. Professor Suvi Virtanen, who led the research, explained that the polyphenols found in berries may help reduce the inflammation associated with type 1 diabetes.
However, fruits might contain harmful substances, such as pesticides, that do not occur in berries. While oats, bananas, and wheat were linked to an increased risk of type 1 diabetes , cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower were associated with a lower risk. Despite these findings, the researchers caution that it is too early to make any dietary recommendations.
More studies are needed to determine whether specific components in foods can influence the development of type 1 diabetes and whether these results can be replicated in other populations..
