Consumption of dried fruit reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

In a recent study published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism, scientists assessed the causal effects of dried fruit consumption on the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Dried fruits have become popular among people looking for healthier snack alternatives. However, concerns have been raised about their sugar content in relation to T2D. T2D is a significant public health concern due to its associations with complications such as nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, and kidney dysfunction. Including dried fruits in the diet of people with T2D is a complex issue, raising both caution and enthusiasm.

Dried fruits contain important nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals that add to a balanced diet. However, the sugars in dried fruits are released quickly into the bloodstream, causing postprandial blood glucose spikes that can be challenging for those trying to stabilize their glucose levels. Historically, dried fruit consumption has been discouraged due to its sugar and fat content.

However, there has been a shift in this perspective: dried fruits are now recognized for their levels of fiber, micronutrients, and minimal fat content compared to their fresh counterparts. Animal studies and randomized controlled trials have shown potential benefits of dried fruits on cardiovascular disease. However, there is little data on the relationship between T2D and dried fruit consumption.

In this study, researchers assessed potential causal associations between dried fruit consumption and T2D. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study used pooled statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). GWAS data on dried fruit consumption were obtained from a study of over 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank. Participants attended local assessment centres to provide relevant data via questionnaires or anthropometric measurements.

Information on the frequency of dried fruit consumption was collected via a questionnaire. Data on T2D were obtained from a GWAS involving over 61,700 cases and 593,952 controls. The team examined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with dried fruit consumption as instrumental variables. Instrumental variables had to be strongly and exclusively associated with the exposure (dried fruit consumption) and independent of confounding factors.

The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used to investigate potential causal effects of dried fruit consumption. The weighted median method and the MR-Egger method were complementary. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q test. Horizontal pleiotropism was assessed using the MR-Egger intercept test. A leave-one-out analysis was also performed to determine the robustness of the results.

The researchers identified 43 SNPs that were strongly associated with dried fruit consumption. Of these, 36 were selected as instrumental variables after excluding those associated with confounding factors. The F statistic of these instrumental variables was 15.39, indicating a high ability to predict consumption levels. All instrumental variables were more strongly associated with the exposure than with the outcome (T2D). A causal association was found between dried fruit consumption and T2D.

Higher dried fruit intake was associated with a lower risk of T2D. Specifically, a one standard deviation increase in dried fruit intake was associated with a 61% reduction in the risk of T2D. Moreover, the weighted median and MR-Egger methods yielded consistent results. The Cochran Q test showed significant heterogeneity among instrumental variables. There was no evidence of horizontal pleiotropism. Leave-one-out analysis showed that the results were robust.

The study examined the causal relationship between dried fruit consumption and the development of T2D. The results showed that dried fruit consumption was associated with a reduced risk of T2D. Various mechanisms could potentially explain this association. Certain components of dried fruit may reduce the risk of T2D. For example, carotenoids have antioxidant properties, and increased carotenoid intake was associated with a reduced risk of T2D.

Dried fruits also contain significant amounts of β-carotene, which protects against the development of T2D. They also contain various flavonoids associated with improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. It is important to note that the results may not be generalizable to other populations, as the sample consisted of people of European descent. In addition, the mechanisms of action of dried fruits remain poorly defined.