By Haruna Gimba
A new study published in Clinical Nutritional Journal has discovered that the regular consumption of sardines helps to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
The research led by Diana Diaz Rizzolo, a lecturer and researcher at the Open University Catalonia, Barcelona Faculty of Health Sciences and the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute found that the consumption of sardine characteristics nutrients like omega-3, EPA and DHA, vitamin D, fluorine and taurine could play a role in the prevention of the onset of type 2 diabetes.
The researchers analysed data from a year-long study involving 157 adults from 65 years.
The Italian researchers compared the effect of the weekly addition of 200 gramme of sardines to the meals of the test group while the control group was fed only the diabetes prevention nutrition.
After a year, they found that the consumption of sardine characteristic nutrients like omega-3, EPA and DHA, vitamin D, fluorine and taurine played a protective role against developing type 2 diabetes.
The researchers said, “We conclude that a year type 2 diabetes-prevention diet with sardine supplementation has a greater protective effect against developing type 2 diabetes.”
Rizzolo speaking on the findings of the research said “not only are sardines reasonably priced and easy to find, but they are safe and help to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. This is a huge scientific discovery. It is easy to recommend this food during medical check-ups, and it is widely accepted by the population.”
According to WebMD – an online publication of information on human health, sardines have over the years been known to aid weight loss, increase nerve functions, strengthen the bones and contain omega-3 fatty acids which work to protect the cardiovascular system, lowering blood pressure.
