A startling revelation has emerged, suggesting that foods we often consider healthy—like bananas, oats, and wheat—might actually heighten the risk of Type 1 diabetes.
According to a report from The Guardian, researchers from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare found a connection between these foods and diabetes risk among Finnish children.
This study tracked 5,674 Finnish children with a genetic predisposition to diabetes from birth to age six. Among them, 94 were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes by age six, while 206 showed autoimmune responses affecting the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.
Type 1 diabetes, often called juvenile diabetes, arises when the immune system mistakenly attacks these insulin-producing cells, leading to insufficient insulin and unregulated blood sugar levels.
The research analyzed 34 food groups and discovered that increased consumption of bananas, oats, and wheat was correlated with a higher risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. One of the researchers, Suvi Virtanen, stated, “These results may surprise parents, as many foods linked to increased risk are considered healthy.”
In contrast, the study found that consuming berries—such as strawberries, blueberries, and black currants—appears to offer protection against diabetes. Virtanen explained that berries are rich in polyphenols, plant compounds that help reduce inflammation linked to the onset of Type 1 diabetes. She also suggested that berries’ lower pesticide exposure compared to other fruits could contribute to their protective effect.
Furthermore, wheat has been identified as a risk factor for developing autoimmune Type 1 diabetes, whereas vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage have shown protective effects. Virtanen stressed the importance of understanding the specific components within these foods that contribute to these outcomes.
However, based on this study’s results, she cautioned that it is too early to make dietary recommendations for infants. These findings also do not align with the UK Diabetes Association’s stance on the causes of Type 1 diabetes. The association noted that the causes of Type 1 diabetes are still unclear, and there is no evidence indicating that specific foods or beverages can trigger it. They further explained that Type 1 diabetes is thought to result from a combination of genetic factors, which are not yet fully understood, and other factors, with no evidence suggesting that lifestyle is a cause.
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