Can This Green Vegetable Really Lower Your Diabetes Risk?

A recent study published reveals a promising and natural solution for preventing Type 2 diabetes. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden found that a natural compound found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower can significantly lower blood sugar levels, especially in individuals who are pre-diabetic.

The study involved 74 people aged 35-75 with high blood sugar levels, classified as pre-diabetic. Participants were divided into two groups: one received a supplement of sulforaphane — an active compound found in cruciferous vegetables, and the other received a placebo. After 12 weeks, those who received the compound experienced a significant drop in blood sugar levels compared to the control group.

The most intriguing finding was that sulforaphane's effect was stronger in people with certain physiological traits, such as a relatively low body mass index and low insulin secretion. Furthermore, researchers discovered that gut bacteria play a central role in the treatment's effectiveness — individuals with a high level of a particular bacterial gene experienced a more significant reduction in blood sugar levels.

Professor Anders Rosengren, one of the study's authors, noted that "although lifestyle factors like a healthy diet and physical activity are the foundation for diabetes prevention, our study findings offer an additional natural approach that could benefit high-risk individuals."

Public health experts believe these findings might lead to the development of new, targeted treatments, based on personalized adaptation for each patient. However, they emphasize the need for further exploration of sulforaphane's long-term effects.

According to the study, including vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts in the daily diet is recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle that can help reduce diabetes risk and improve overall health.