Study shows avocado may reduce diabetes risk in women, not men

Study shows avocado may reduce diabetes risk in women, not men

In a recent cross-sectional study published in theJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,Researchers from Mexico examined the possible link between avocado consumption and diabetes in Mexican adults. They found that women who consumed avocados had a lower risk of diabetes compared to those who did not consume avocados, while no significant association was observed in men.

background

The global prevalence of diabetes has tripled since 2000, prompting a focus on dietary changes to reduce the risk of the disease. Fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamins and phytochemicals, are known to fight insulin resistance and related diseases. While the collective benefits of eating habits like the Mediterranean diet are recognized, it is crucial to understand the specific effects of individual foods.

Growing in popularity worldwide, avocados provide essential nutrients and have been linked to metabolic health benefits. However, research on their association with diabetes risk is limited and is often characterized by small sample sizes and acute outcome assessments. Taking into account the influence of biological sex on diabetes pathogenesis, particularly identified in Mexican women, the present study investigated the possible association between avocado consumption and diabetes, analyzing data from the Mexican National Survey of Health and Nutrition (ENSANUT).

About the study

The present study included a secondary analysis of a subset of the Mexican population aged ≥20 years from the 2012, 2016, and 2018 versions of the ENSANUT survey. The surveys followed a nationally representative sampling design using probabilistic multistage and cluster sampling stratified by residential area. Pregnant or breastfeeding women were excluded. The initial sample size was 2,824 people from the 2012 survey, 8,530 from the 2016 survey, and 16,885 from the 2018 survey. During the study, 2,599 participants were excluded due to missing diabetes data or implausible energy or avocado intakes, resulting in a final analysis of 25,640 participants. About 59% of them were female. Most of them were overweight or obese, and over 60% suffered from abdominal obesity.

The surveys followed established protocols and used a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) to collect dietary information from adults. Implausible data were excluded and avocado consumption was assessed using the SFFQ, with participants classified as consumers or non-consumers based on reported intake.

Diabetes was determined by participants reporting whether a doctor had diagnosed them with diabetes or high blood sugar. Self-reported diagnosis was used in the primary analysis. A subset of participants (n=15,349) underwent sensitivity analysis using laboratory data. Diabetes was defined as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5% or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 126 mg/dL.

Various covariates including age, gender, indigenous status, socioeconomic level, education, area of ​​residence, geographical region, marital status, body mass index (BMI), abdominal obesity, physical activity, healthy eating index score (HEI-2015), energy intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension and acute myocardial infarction were considered. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Socioeconomic level was determined by principal component analysis and categorized into low, medium and high levels. The study used descriptive statistics, logistic regression (adjusted and unadjusted models), sensitivity analysis with FBG or HbA1c, and an assessment of multicollinearity.

Results and discussion

Of the participants in the three surveys, approximately 45% were avocado consumers, with an average daily consumption of 34.7 grams for men and 29.8 grams for women. Avocado consumers tended to have higher socioeconomic status and education levels compared to non-consumers. Avocado consumption was found to be associated with a lower risk of diabetes in both unadjusted (OR: 0.762) and adjusted (OR: 0.792) models in women but not in men (p-value > 0.05 for both). This association remained consistent when laboratory measurements were used to diagnose diabetes (FPG or Hb1AC). These results highlight the potential protective role of avocado consumption against diabetes, particularly in women.

The study benefits from a large, nationally representative data set in Mexico, where avocado consumption is culturally significant, and uses a validated survey tool to accurately assess intake, control for relevant covariates, and conduct sensitivity analyses. However, reliance on self-reported avocado consumption may introduce measurement bias, and the cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish a causal relationship, highlighting the need for longitudinal studies to examine long-term effects. Furthermore, although the large sample size increases statistical power, replication in other cohorts is critical to confirm these results.

Diploma

In summary, the present study finds a connection between avocado consumption and a reduced risk of diabetes, which is particularly significant in women even after taking relevant factors into account. The results suggest the potential role of avocados as a useful component of nutritional interventions to reduce diabetes risk, particularly in women. They highlight the need for further research into personalized nutrition in diabetes prevention and treatment, as well as nutritional recommendations based on individual characteristics.

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