Syperfoods vs Type 2 Diabetes
- The term “superfood” is a label for certain foods that are considered to be nutritionally dense and beneficial for health due to their high content of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients. While there is no scientific or regulatory definition for the term “superfood,” these foods are often promoted as having exceptional health benefits and are typically rich in compounds believed to positively impact well-being.
- Superfoods can include a variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and other natural foods. Common examples often touted for their nutritional value include berries (such as blueberries and acai berries), leafy greens (like kale and spinach), fatty fish (such as salmon), nuts and seeds (like chia seeds and walnuts), and certain grains (such as quinoa).
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects over 537 million individuals globally. Research studies have explored the potential of integrating ‘superfoods’ into the diet of T2DM patients to investigate if they can contribute to lowering glycaemic levels. In their article Pires et al (2023) identified key ‘superfoods’ which are capable of reducing HbA1c. 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.
