Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications if left untreated, such as a heart attack. But an easy way to control the condition and to prevent it developing in the first place is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. While alcohol and sugary drinks are strongly advised against, other drinks like tomato juice are recommended.
While the exact causes of type 2 diabetes have not been fully understood, being overweight or obese is known for increasing the risk of the condition.
Low-level inflammation is a contribution factor to insulin resistance, particularly in people who are overweight.
But the authors of a June 2013 British Journal of Nutrition study found overweight and obese women experienced reduced inflammation after drinking around one and a half cups of tomato juice daily for three weeks.
Tomatoes have been found to hold a host of health benefits, particularly because they’re full of lycopene.
This is a powerful substance which research has suggested can reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and macular degeneration.
One study in 2011 found 200g of raw tomato each day reduce blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes.
“Tea may be a simple, inexpensive means of preventing or retarding human diabetes and the ensuring complications.”
But the researchers did also note that further studied are required to see if black and green tea has anti diabetes effects in humans.
Alongside simple diet changes, experts recommend doing regular exercise – but which exercise is most effective?
A study by Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark found HIIT can play a part in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes by keeping blood glucose levels within a healthy range.
HIIT, which stands for High Intensity Interval Training, is a form of interval training which alternatives short periods of intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods.
Trainer Zana Morris revealed the other benefits of doing HIIT.