Superfoods for Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review and Proposal for New International Recommendations
- PMID: 37511996
- PMCID: PMC10384771
- DOI: 10.3390/medicina59071184
Superfoods for Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review and Proposal for New International Recommendations
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease affecting an estimated 537 million individuals worldwide. 'Superfoods' can be integrated into the diet of T2DM patients due to their health benefits. Study Objectives: (i) To carry out a narrative review of 'superfoods' with the potential to reduce glycaemic levels in T2DM patients (2019 to 2022), (ii) to identify 'superfoods' with the potential to reduce HbA1c and (iii) to propose new guidance on the use of 'superfoods'. Materials and Methods: A narrative review was carried out using the databases PubMed, SciELO, DOAJ and Google Scholar. The keywords were ["type 2 diabetes" and ("food" or "diet" or "nutrition") and ("glycaemia" or "glycemia")]. Only review studies were included. Results: Thirty reviews were selected. The 'superfoods' identified as having a potential impact on glycaemic control were foods with polyphenols (e.g., berries), fermented dairy products, whole cereals/grains, nuts and proteins, among others. The possibility of an extensive reduction in Hb1Ac was reported for fermented dairy products, especially yoghurts enriched with vitamin D or probiotics (HbA1c reduction of around 1%) or by increasing the fibre intake by 15 g (or up to 35 g) (HbA1c reduction of around 2%). Conclusion: It is recommended that the identified 'superfoods' are included in the diet of T2DM patients, although this should not substitute an appropriate diet and exercise plan. In particular, yoghurts and an increased fibre intake (by 15 g or up to 35 g) can be used as nutraceuticals. New recommendations on the introduction of 'superfoods' in the diet of T2DM patients have been proposed.
Keywords: HbA1c; T2DM; glycaemia; metabolic control; new recommendations/guidance; superfoods.
Conflict of interest statement
The author declares no conflict of interest.
Figures
Similar articles
-
'Superfoods': Reliability of the Information for Consumers Available on the Web.Foods. 2023 Jan 26;12(3):546. doi: 10.3390/foods12030546. Foods. 2023. PMID: 36766074 Free PMC article.
-
Does social distinction contribute to socioeconomic inequalities in diet: the case of 'superfoods' consumption.Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017 Mar 27;14(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12966-017-0495-x. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017. PMID: 28347301 Free PMC article.
-
Cereal grains, legumes and diabetes.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004 Nov;58(11):1443-61. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601995. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004. PMID: 15162131 Review.
-
The Effect of Dietary Glycaemic Index on Glycaemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Nutrients. 2018 Mar 19;10(3):373. doi: 10.3390/nu10030373. Nutrients. 2018. PMID: 29562676 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Sizing up 'superfoods' for heart health. Many foods--from the everyday to the exotic--are rich in nutrients that may help keep your arteries clear and your heartbeat stable.Harv Heart Lett. 2014 Mar;24(7):1, 7. Harv Heart Lett. 2014. PMID: 24868603 No abstract available.
References
-
- WHO Diabetes. 2022. [(accessed on 23 March 2023)]. Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes.
-
- International Diabetes Federation Diabetes around the World in 2021. [(accessed on 23 May 2023)]. Available online: https://diabetesatlas.org/idfawp/resource-files/2021/11/IDFDA10-global-f....
-
- American Diabetes Association Diagnosis. [(accessed on 23 March 2023)]. Available online: https://diabetes.org/diabetes/a1c/diagnosis.
-
- American Diabetes Association What Superstar Foods Are Good for Diabetes? [(accessed on 23 March 2023)]. Available online: https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/eating-well/diabet....
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical