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• Posted By : Maggy Tyler
• Posted On : Feb 12, 2014
• Views : 1739
• Average User Rating :
• Category : Health » Tips » To Do
• Description : Enjoying a hot cup of tea with some chocolate and raspberries may do more than satisfy a sweet tooth; it also may help lower one’s risk of developing diabetes.

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Overview

• A recent study found that specific groups of flavonoids, a plant-based ingredient found in chocolate, tea and berries, were connected to lower insulin resistance in a group of women.

  

  Insulin resistance occurs when the insulin that the body makes is not effective in transporting blood sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels — a defining characteristic of diabetes.

   

  "Eat a balanced diet."

   

  This study was led by Aedin Cassidy, MSc, PhD, of the Department of Nutrition in Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK. The research team examined the relationship between the consumption of specific groups of flavonoids and insulin resistance.

  

  Flavonoids are chemical compounds found in plants that give plants their color. The researchers looked at six groups of the most commonly consumed flavonoids, including flavanones, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavones and polymers.

  For this study, Dr. Cassidy and colleagues analyzed data from 1,997 women between the ages of 18 and 76. These participants completed a detailed 131-item food survey.

   

  Fending Off Diabetes with Olive Oil and Nuts

  Flavonoid intake was calculated based on participants’ responses to the food survey.

  The researchers accounted for several factors that could have influenced insulin resistance, including body mass index (a measure of height and weight), family medical history, medication use, menopausal status, daily calorie intake and physical activity.

   Note: This is a dummy content taken from debatewise.org