The nutrients present in large quantities in sardines, such as taurine, omega 3, calcium and vitamin D, help protect against the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- After eating sardines,
- While 37% of the group that ate sardines were at risk before starting the research, only 8% remained at very high risk after one year.
- Improvements were also seen in other important biochemical parameters, such as a reduced insulin resistance index and an increase in good cholesterol.
The health benefits of sardines, and fatty fish in general, have been widely demonstrated: their high levels of unsaturated fats or omega-3s help regulate cholesterol levels, prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease, of heart attack and even provides a significant cognitive benefit. Spanish researchers from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), in partnership with the Institute for Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), have found that regular consumption of sardines also prevents the onset of diabetes from type 2. They published this result on March 17 in the journal Clinical Nutrition.
Two cans of sardines per week
Nutrients present in large quantities in sardines, such as taurine, omega 3, calcium and vitamin D, allow consumers to guard against type 2 diabetes.”Not only are sardines reasonably priced and easy to find, but they are safe and help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. This is a huge scientific discovery. It is easy to recommend this food in medical examinations, and it is widely accepted by the population”, rejoiced Diana D. Rizzolo, lead author of the study.
For this study, researchers recruited 152 patients aged 65 and older who were diagnosed with prediabetes with blood sugar levels between 100 and 124 mg/dl. Each participant followed a nutritional program aimed at reducing the risk of developing the disease, but only the intervention group added 200 grams of sardines to their diet each week, or two cans of sardines. Participants were advised to eat the sardine whole, without removing the bones, as these are particularly rich in calcium and vitamin D.
Many improved biochemical parameters
The results revealed that among the group that did not include sardines in their diet, 27% of the members had a high risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes before the study, after one, 22% were found in the same category. In the other group, while 37% were at risk before starting the research, only 8% remained at very high risk after one year. Improvements were also seen in other important biochemical parameters, such as reduced insulin resistance index, increased good cholesterol, increased hormones that accelerate glucose breakdown, decreased triglycerides and blood pressure.
Researchers warn that just because foods such as sardines, rich in taurine, omega 3, calcium and vitamin D, have a clear protective effect against the onset of diabetes does not mean that taking these supplements in isolation will have the same effect. “Nutrients can play an essential role in the prevention and treatment of many different pathologies, but their effect is generally caused by the synergy that exists between them and the foods in which they are contained. Sardines will therefore have a protective element as they are high in the nutrients mentioned above, whereas nutrients taken in isolation in supplement form will not work to the same extent.”, says Diana D. Rizzolo.
Ongoing studies to examine other effects of sardines
In addition, Spanish scientists have already launched other studies. In particular, they examine the effect of sardines on the intestinal microbiota “because it affects the regulation of many biological processes, and it is necessary to understand whether they played a role in this protective effect against diabetes 2”, specifies the principal author of the study who directs this new research. They have also initiated studies on the modulation of the expression of certain genes linked to inflammation, which could play a role in the onset of diabetes 2 and various other diseases.
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