Plant-based foods rich in omega-6 fatty acids, like soybeans, walnuts, and avocados, may help to prevent the risk of developing type-2 diabetes, finds new research published in the recent issue of the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Journal.
The researchers looked at data from 20 international studies in ten countries. The studies were conducted on the dietary habits of nearly 40,000 people where new cases of diabetes were reported in about ten percent of the study population. The researchers controlled for factors like family history and looked at the presence of two key omega-6 markers: linoleic acid and arachidonic acid.
“Linoleic acid was associated with lower risk, while levels of arachidonic acid were not significantly associated with either higher or lower risk of diabetes,” reports NDTV.
What the findings suggest is that those study participants who had the highest levels of linoleic acid from omega-6 rich foods were least likely to develop type-2 diabetes.
The research supports other findings that whole foods plant-based diet can play a key role in the prevention of type-2 diabetes, and in some cases, may even be effective in reversing the condition.
[Editor’s note: Always consult with your physician before making any changes to your diet, particularly if you suffer from type-2 diabetes and take prescription medication to regulate your insulin levels.]
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