NEWS:SUGARY DIET MAY BRING ON DIABETES

Women who eat a diet high in sugar and low in cereal fibre are more than twice as likely to develop diabetes.

Of the two, a high sugar diet was the more likely cause of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, with a likely risk of 1.47 times. A diet low in fibre represented a 0.72 per cent risk. But if the two were combined in one diet, the risk escalated to 2.5 times, compared with someone who had a diet low in sugar and high in fibre.

The findings are based on research among 65,173 women who enrolled with the Nurses’ Health Study. The researchers also recommend that unrefined grains are better for helping to reduce the risk of diabetes (JAMA, 1997; 277: 472-7).