According to a recent study, the regular consumption of avocado it could be connected to a lower risk of developing diabetes, especially for women. Avocados are not only tasty, but they are also a concentrate of beneficial substances for our body. They’re rich in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats, which may play a critical role in supporting metabolic health and insulin sensitivity. These valuable nutrients can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the long term.
Avocado and diabetes, the study
I study conducted in Mexico and published on the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dieteticsha analyzed the eating habits and information on diabetes diagnosis of a large portion of the Mexican population. The results indicated that women who consumed avocados had a significantly lower risk of developing diabetes than those who did not eat them. Interestingly, this correlation was not observed in men.
The researchers examined data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) conducted in 2012, 2016 and 2018. After excluding certain individuals and assessing eating habits via a food frequency questionnaire, the final sample included over 25,000 participants.
The average avocado consumption was approximately 34.7 grams per day for men and 29.8 grams per day for women. Women who consumed avocados demonstrated a 22% and 29% lower risk of developing diabetes in the unadjusted and adjusted models, respectively, while in men this association was not found.
Avocados could reduce the risk of diabetes thanks to the presence of antioxidants that fight inflammation and cell damage, as well as their low glycemic density that does not cause spikes in blood sugar. However, more research is needed to fully understand the link between avocado consumption and diabetes risk.
Experts emphasize the importance of a balanced and diversified diet, rather than focusing excessively on individual foods for the prevention of diabetes. However, including avocados in your diet can be a healthy choice, given their wealth of beneficial nutrients.