New research announced this week from the California Raisin Marketing Board suggests that the dried fruit can boost the health of diabetics. A study conducted at the Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerotic Research Center indicates that the fruit can positively affect glucose levels and systolic blood pressure among people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
“Raisins are excellent food choices for most individuals, including those with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM),” said James W. Anderson, professor of medicine and clinical nutrition at the University of Kentucky.
In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control reported that 29.1 Americans have diabetes. That accounts for 9.3 per cent of the population, and nearly 30 per cent of these are undiagnosed cases. Additionally, another 86m Americans are thought to have pre-diabetes.
Given the magnitude of the diabetes problem, and knowing that the nutritional quality of foods is one factor that influences glucose levels and cardiovascular disease risk among patients with T2DM, a first-of-its kind study was conducted with California Raisins and patients with T2DM.
The 12-week study among 51 individuals with T2DM found that regular consumption of raisins — as compared to a variety of snack crackers — positively impacted both glucose levels and systolic blood pressure.
These recent findings build on previous research announced at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in 2012, which show that eating raisins three times per day may significantly lower blood pressure among individuals with pre-hypertension and lower postprandial glucose levels when compared to other popular snacks.
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