Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers: Eating Fruit Daily can Decrease Risk of Diabetes

A Chinese study including half a million people revealed that by eating fresh fruit every day, the risk of developing diabetes and other serious, sometimes deadly vascular complications decreases. Over 29 million people in the United States suffer from diabetes, with more than 1 million being diagnosed with the disease annually. There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. People with type 1 diabetes suffer from a complete lack of insulin, whereas people with type 2 produce either too little insulin or cannot use the insulin they have effectively.

Insulin is a hormone, which allows us to use sugar, keeps our blood sugar level from getting too high or too low and stores glucose for energy for future use. Because people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes either have no insulin or too little insulin, certain symptoms are present. Common symptoms of diabetes include extreme fatigue, blurred vision, cuts or bruises that are slow to heal, feeling hungry even after eating, severe thirst and frequent urination. People with type 2 diabetes may experience pain, tingling or numbness in their hands or feet, while people with type 1 may have weight loss even though they are eating more food.

Because so many people throughout the world are affected by diabetes, the study is particularly relevant and helpful. The researchers found that for people without diabetes, eating fruit daily decreased their risk of developing the disease by 12%. Interestingly, the diminished risk was the same for everyone involved regardless of age or sex. This suggests that eating fresh, non-processed fruit is a major health benefit for all people.

For people who already have diabetes, eating 100 grams (roughly 1 cup) of fresh fruit a day decreases the overall risk of death associated with the disease, as well as other complications, like kidney disease, nerve damage, stroke, and coronary artery disease.  Because of all of the associated risks that come along with diabetes, nearly 80,000 people die annually from this disease.

The study demonstrates the benefits of a daily fresh fruit intake for people suffering from diabetes as well as for those trying to avoid the disease. One major difference in the Chinese study versus other studies previously conducted in the Western hemisphere is that only fresh fruit was used and no processed fruits or fruit juices. Although many people believe that eating fresh fruit will severely raise blood sugar levels, the study did not find that to be a major issue for concern.

Dr. Wright, a spokesperson from the Academy of Nutrition and Diabetics, responded to the study’s findings, stressing the importance of factoring in the value of nutrition. She advises patients with diabetes as well as those at risk to eat 1-3 servings of fresh fruit per day in order to decrease the chance of developing the serious, potentially fatal health complications.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), 1 serving of fruit constitutes a “medium-sized” fruit, such as an orange. This is important, because reaching the goal of 1-3 servings per day is then easily attainable as well as relatively cost-effective. And remember, drinking fruit juice does not count as a serving of fresh fruit; by drinking juice you do not get the other dietary benefits of fresh fruit. Fresh fruit is also is an important source of antioxidants, dietary fiber and minerals. Together, these benefits work to help the metabolism function in a healthy way.

As always, if you or a loved one suffers from diabetes or is at risk for developing the disease and you have questions about your diet or lifestyle, it is best to consult directly with a healthcare professional. One thing is certain: eating fresh fruits is an important part of a healthy diet and as the study found, can also greatly reduce the risk of developing diabetes as well as decreasing the chances for mortality and other complications commonly associated with the disease.

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If you have any legal questions or concerns, please call the knowledgeable Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP. With offices located in Philadelphia, Reading, Lancaster and Bethlehem, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To schedule a consultation, call us at 800-222-8792 or complete our online contact form.