Scientists from the University of Pegaso (Italy), as part of a research team, found that the foods recommended by the Mediterranean diet (vegetables, fruits, beans, fish, cheese, yoghurt) stabilize blood insulin levels. diabetes and obesity. Research results published At MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute).
62 people participated in the research. The average BMI of the participants was 35.8 (the norm ranged from 18.5 to 25). Subjects were divided into two groups; The first one followed the Mediterranean diet, and the second one followed his normal diet. Scientists also recorded information about the health status of the participants and took blood samples from them.
At the end of the experiment, participants donated blood again. Fasting glucose levels appeared to be similar in both groups. However, blood insulin levels were significantly lower in participants following the Mediterranean diet.
Additionally, volunteers in the first group showed high sensitivity to insulin.
The main function of insulin is to transport glucose (sugar) into cells. Sometimes they stop responding to insulin and become resistant to it. In this case, glucose does not enter the cells and accumulates in the blood. This pathology precedes the development of type 2 diabetes.
Plant foods, dairy products and fish helped balance insulin levels in the participants’ blood. Scientists emphasized that nutritional correction is an important tool in preventing diabetes and insulin resistance complications. More research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of the Mediterranean diet on health.
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