New Guide Shows How Fresh Avocados May Help Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

A recent study published in the Nutrition Journal and funded by the Hass Avocado Board found that simply adding or substituting one-half of an avocado at mealtime may help weaken the rise in insulin 30 minutes after eating. Image: tookapic, Pixabay

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. -- To kick off National Diabetes Awareness Month, Aguacates Frescos-Saborea Uno Hoy unveils a free, printable, wallet-size guide designed to share tips and inspiration on how healthy and delicious fresh avocados with their good source of fiber can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, as part of a diet rich in healthy foods containing fiber. With diabetes at epidemic levels amongst U.S. Hispanics, the resource is now available in English and Spanish at SaboreaUnoHoy.com/diabetescard to empower easy access to insights on how good nutrition promotes healthy living and can lower risk factors. Health professionals can also request hard copies for their patients.

Also read, Artificial sweeteners raise risk of type 2 diabetes, study suggests.

The CDC predicts that more than 50% of all Hispanics will develop type 2 diabetes during their lifetime and points to modest weight loss as helpful to prevent or delay the disease by nearly 60% in people at risk (prediabetes).

"There is a high percentage of obesity among U.S. Hispanics, creating a high risk for type 2 diabetes. Access to free resources like this in Spanish and English is a big benefit for families and health care providers," said Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, registered dietitian and Aguacates Frescos – Saborea Uno Hoy spokesperson. "A winning strategy in the fight against diabetes is to educate that every bite counts. Smart choices like fresh avocados are delicious, filling and help keep us healthy."

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasizes making small dietary shifts to work towards an overall healthy eating pattern since changing eating habits can be hard. Easy to print, fold and keep handy, the colorful guide helps keep top-of-mind that delicious options like fresh avocados are good sources of fiber, adding bulk to a diet and promoting feeling fuller faster. Healthy and versatile, avocados are also cholesterol- and sodium-free and fit in a reduced-calorie diet when eaten in place of other fats.

People at risk for diabetes and people already with diabetes also need to watch their blood sugar levels. Avocados are a delicious, sugar-free addition to any meal. And a recent study published in the Nutrition Journal and funded by the Hass Avocado Board found that simply adding or substituting one-half of an avocado at mealtime may help weaken the rise in insulin 30 minutes after eating. In the study, 26 healthy overweight adults enjoyed a lunch either without avocado, with avocado added, or with avocado substituted for other meal components. Researchers found that the peak rise in insulin levels 30 minutes after the start of the meal with avocado substituted was significantly weakened (37 percent) compared to eating a meal without avocado. And, blood insulin remained significantly lower for the next 3 hours. When one-half of an avocado was simply added to the meal, the peak rise in insulin levels was significantly weakened by 22 percent. The results provide promising clues and a basis for future research to determine avocados' effect on glucose and insulin response.

See the study here: https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-12-155.

SOURCE Aguacates Frescos-Saborea Uno Hoy