Managing blood sugar levels is crucial for both preventing and effectively managing diabetes, especially among those already at risk. While medications and lifestyle modifications are key, research now shows that adding a specific vegetable to your diet may naturally improve blood sugar regulation—even in those with prediabetes.
اضافة اعلان
According to a new study published in Nature Microbiology and conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg, consuming broccoli has been linked to improved blood sugar levels in individuals with prediabetes—a condition that precedes type 2 diabetes.
Broccoli and Blood Sugar Control
The key compound responsible for this benefit is sulforaphane, a naturally occurring substance found in broccoli. Previous research in 2017 had already suggested that high doses of sulforaphane extracted from broccoli sprouts led to significant blood sugar reductions in diabetic patients.
This new study aimed to evaluate sulforaphane’s effect on people with prediabetes, a condition caused by a gradual rise in blood sugar due to impaired insulin production.
Study Details
Participants: 89 individuals aged between 35 and 75 with elevated fasting blood glucose levels.
Profile: All participants were either overweight or obese.
Design: Participants were randomly assigned to receive either sulforaphane supplements or a placebo for 12 weeks.
Notable Findings
Participants who consumed sulforaphane showed a significantly greater reduction in fasting blood sugar compared to those in the placebo group. Those who experienced the most improvement tended to have:
Early signs of age-related mild diabetes
A lower BMI
Lower insulin resistance
Fewer signs of fatty liver disease
Reduced insulin secretion
A Step Toward Personalized Treatment
Prediabetes affects millions globally, yet often goes undiagnosed, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. The researchers emphasized the importance of early, individualized intervention to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Although no definitive treatment exists for prediabetes, this study suggests that sulforaphane—especially when derived from broccoli—could serve as a functional food in a more precision-targeted approach to prevention.
Still, lifestyle factors remain the cornerstone of prevention and management, including:
Regular physical activity
Healthy diet choices
Sustained weight loss
Researchers also noted that the interaction between gut microbiota and individual physiology may influence how well a person responds to sulforaphane, opening doors to more personalized nutrition-based therapies.
Source: Times of India
