Experts around the world have often stressed on the importance of having healthy diet, with sufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables. It helps to maintain a balanced lifestyle and a fit mind and body. Two new studies have found that this diet may also help in lowering the risks of diabetes. The studies, published in the journal BMJ, suggest that even a modest increase in the intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in our daily diet may help in preventing the risk of type-2 diabetes.

The first study, led by a team of European researchers, conducted a comparison analysis among participants from eight European countries. In the study, they compared a group of 9,754 adults who developed new-onset type-2 diabetes, with 13,662 adults who remained free of diabetes. They examined the association between blood levels of vitamin C and carotenoids (pigments found in colourful fruits and vegetables) with risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

It was found that increase in daily intake of 66 grams of fruits and vegetables were associated with 25 percent lower risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

The second study, conducted by a research team from the United States, was based on 158,259 women and 36,525 men, who had no complaints of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The study looked into the link between total and individual whole grain intake and type-2 diabetes.

It was found that around two servings of whole grain and around half a serving of whole grain cold breakfast cereal and dark bread per day was associated with lowering of diabetes.

Both the studies were observational; however, the researchers suggested increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains as a part of our healthy diet to prevent type-2 diabetes.