Consumption of ultra-processed products, such as diet drinks, is particularly harmful for people with type 2 diabetes. The more they consume, the higher their blood sugar levels.
- Ultra-processed foods are known for their health harms.
- In people with type 2 diabetes, high consumption of these products increases blood sugar levels.
- These are products rich in sugars and sodium but also in additives, artificial colorings or flavorings.
Diet sodas, certain breakfast cereals, appetizer biscuits: these foods are all ultra-processed products. A recent study, published in Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dieteticsshows that they are particularly not recommended for people with type 2 diabetes. The latter suffer from a disturbance in their metabolism, responsible for an increase in blood sugar. According to theInsermthis form of the disease affects 90% of diabetics.
Type 2 diabetes: a tool for measuring long-term blood sugar levels
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin wanted to better understand the links between pathology and diet, with a particular interest in the consumption of ultra-processed products. “There are several ways to observe and measure healthy eating“, specifies Marissa Burgermaster, assistant professor of nutritional sciences at this university. With her team, she chose to use data called HbA1c. “While capillary blood glucose and fasting blood sugar are snapshots of the glycemic state, HbA1c makes it possible, through a blood test, to assess glycemic balance over a longer period (approximately two to three months).”indicates the French Federation of Diabetics.
High consumption of ultra-processed products associated with poor blood sugar control
The study is based on reference data from a still ongoing clinical trial. The scientists used those of 273 African-American adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Each participant provided information about their diet and a blood sample to measure HbA1c. “We found that the greater the amount of ultra-processed foods in the diet, the worse the blood sugar control, analyzes Marissa Burgermaster. When the proportion of unprocessed foods was higher in a person’s diet, their blood sugar levels were better.”
In detail, people whose diet contains 10% more ultra-processed foods, compared to the average, had Hba1c levels higher by 0.28 points on average. Conversely, those whose diet consisted of 10% more unprocessed foods, still compared to the average, had HbA1c levels 0.30 points lower on average. “Having an HbA1c below 7 is considered ideal for people with type 2 diabetes, and people who consumed, on average, 18% or less of their total food weight in ultra-processed foods , were more likely to meet this objective”note the authors.
Type 2 diabetes: what foods should you avoid?
They recall that several studies have shown that the consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression and early death. According to them, the category of ultra-processed foods includes both those that are too rich in added sugars and sodium, but also those that contain colorings, synthetic flavors, emulsifiers, sweeteners or any other artificial ingredient.