Regular consumption of foods loaded with alpha-carotene and beta-carotene may provide individuals with powerful protection against type 2 diabetes.
This study evaluated the association between pre-illness intake of foods rich in carotenoids, such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin, and the likelihood of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Researchers collated and analyzed data on the dietary carotenoid consumption rates and type 2 diabetes hazard ratio of 37,846 subjects recruited from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Netherland Cohort.
The team of researchers found a significant reduction in type 2 diabetes risk among frequent consumers of foods high in alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. On the other hand, generous intake of foods loaded with lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin did not contribute to the development or prevention of type 2 diabetes in this study. The findings of this study reveal that consistent consumption of foods packed with alpha-carotene and beta-carotene may be beneficial in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.