Over nine million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association. November is Diabetes Month, making it a good time to learning about the disease, including the kind of diet that can help prevent type 2 diabetes, as well as ways to help support those living with the disease. 

Fortunately, blueberries are easy to add to the daily diet and often listed as a top “power food” for diabetics to consume.Here are the top reasons why blueberries may help prevent diabetes, and also why they make a healthy food choice for someone living with type 2 diabetes.

- Fibre helps control blood sugar levels and is an important part of a healthy diet. A 250 ml (1 cup) serving of blueberries – about the size of a tennis ball, contains 3.6 grams of dietary fibre. Blueberries’ high fibre content may reduce the risk of diabetes and also help type 2 diabetics keep their blood sugar levels steady.

- Eating fruit, particularly blueberries, has been linked to a lower risk of diabetes in a major study. Researchers found that consuming three servings per week of blueberries reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 7%.

- Insulin resistance (a condition in which cells do not fully respond to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels) is commonly seen in obese individuals and can lead to type 2 diabetes5. While more research is still needed, studies suggest that blueberries can help lower blood glucose by improving insulin resistance thanks to anthocyanins, the antioxidant that gives blueberries a deep blue colour6. One study showed an improved insulin response in obese mice fed blueberries for eight weeks7.

10/15/2014

BC blueberries