By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
More likely than not, you are either related to or know someone who has type 2 diabetes. According to the National Institutes of Health, type 2 diabetes affects nearly 26 million people in the United States alone. While there are many ways to help combat type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests that there is a link between vegetable intake and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
Eat Your Veggies! (photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com)
According to the study, those who ate the most vegetables had a 21% lower risk of developing type two diabetes in addition to having a significantly lower body mass index than those who ate the least amount of vegetables. Interestingly, however, researchers also found that the kind of vegetables that were eaten played a significant role. Those who ate the most potatoes were 9% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who didn’t eat as many potatoes. On the other hand, those who ate more leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli or cauliflower were those who were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
So, this is just one more reason to put a good-sized serving of veggies on your plate! Arizona agriculture produces lots of different vegetables, so it’s easy to find fresh, locally-grown produce at your grocery store or farmer’s market! For more information on what’s in season or where to find these veggies, check out the Fill Your Plate website!