Listen to Story A study has found that certain childhood diets may influence the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. New research presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) suggests that consuming fruit, oats, and rye during early childhood was associated with a higher risk of type 1 diabetes, while eating berries seemed to offer some protection. Type 1 diabetes is a long-term autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Insulin is a hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar levels and enabling cells to use glucose for energy. While the exact triggers for this immune response are unclear, it is believed to involve both genetic and environmental factors, including diet and possibly viral infections. The condition is the most common form of diabetes in children, and its incidence is rising globally.
By 2040, cases are expected to more than double, from 8.4 million in 2021 to 17.4 million worldwide.
Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. (Photo: Getty) The research followed 5,674 children with a genetic predisposition to type 1 diabetes from birth to the age of six.
The study found that children who consumed more fruit, oats, and rye had a higher likelihood of developi.