Against type 2 diabetes it can be helpful to limit some foods, such as processed meats, some marinated fish and cheeses, as they contain nitrates and nitrites as additives. In fact, it is precisely the high intake of these substances that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as emerges from a very recent scientific research published in the journal PLOS Medicine thanks to the work of a French team (Srour et al, PLOS Medicine, 2023).
Type 2 diabetes, a growing condition
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the insulin produced is either not sufficient or is not effective in keeping blood sugar under control. The incidence of type 2 diabetes is growing and, although it is commonly referred to as typical adulthood diabetes, type 2 diabetes is also spreading among the younger sections of the population. So much so that, it is estimated, if the current trend were to continue, in 2060 there will be a 70% increase in cases of type 2 diabetes among young people. Type 2 diabetes, if not properly treated, brings with it chronic inflammation and increases the risk of depression, cardiovascular disease and cellular degeneration. Hence the importance of counteracting type 2 diabetes. But what causes type 2 diabetes? Certainly a sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in refined foods can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, but there's more, as today's study shows. In particular, scientists have investigated the link between nitrites, nitrates and type 2 diabetes.
Nitrites and nitrates, what they are
Nitrates and nitrites are commonly ingested through the water we drink and some foods we eat, especially green leafy vegetables and beetroot, as they are substances naturally present in soil and water. They are essential substances for the growth of plants but humans have excessively increased their presence, both in the soil, through the use of fertilizers, and as additives in some processed foods to preserve their shelf life, such as processed meats, sausages, some marinated fish and sometimes even cheese.
Nitrites, nitrates and type 2 diabetes
Scientists analyzed data on the health, lifestyle and diet of 104,168 people, average age 42 years. Volunteers were asked to provide information on their usual diet in order to allow scientists to estimate the amount of nitrites and nitrates ingested with food. The volunteers were then followed up for 7 years to assess their health. What emerged was that higher amounts of nitrites and nitrates taken in the diet not only did not bring benefits but were correlated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Conclusions
Research has shown that nitrites and nitrates, if taken in high quantities through diet, both through plants and through processed foods to which these substances have been added as additives, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. As indicated by the same authors of the study, however, it is not a good choice, in order to limit the amount of nitrates and nitrites taken, to exclude green leafy vegetables and beetroot from one's diet. In fact, these vegetables bring anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substances and in addition a part of the nitrites is converted by our body into nitric oxide, essential for regulating blood pressure. Instead, seasonal fruit and vegetables should be preferred, as cultivation in greenhouses increases the amount of nitrites and nitrates, and organically sourced, as in this case these substances are present in smaller quantities. In addition, processed meats and other foods where nitrites and nitrates are used as additives should be limited. It is therefore important to read the label carefully and check that the food does not contain substances such as sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate.
