Eating fresh fruits plus exercise aids in glycaemic control in T1DM

Among individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), those who consume fresh fruits at ≥100 g/day and perform sufficient physical activity are more likely to achieve glycaemic control, as reported in a study.

The study used data from the 2017 Nanjing Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance and included 5,663 adult patients with T1DM. All of them completed a face-to-face questionnaire survey, physical measurements, and laboratory examinations.

Fresh fruit intake was reported at ≥100 g/day in 25.3 percent of the participants and 1–99 g/day in 59.5 percent; 15.2 percent said they did not eat fresh fruits. This group of nonconsumers was more likely to maintain a normal weight. On the other hand, participants with fresh fruit intake ≥100 g/day were younger and more likely to have a family history of diabetes and achieve glycaemic control.

Measured using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, physical activity level was insufficient (<600 MET-min/week) in 3,110 (54.9 percent) participants and sufficient (≥600 MET-min/week) in 2,553 (45.1 percent).  Insufficient physical activity was more common among women, participants aged >60 years, those with lower education level, current smokers, and those with poorer glycaemic control.

The likelihood of glycaemic control was 37.8 percent higher among participants with fresh fruit intake ≥100 vs <100 g/day (odds ratio [OR], 1.378, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.209–1.571) and 26 percent higher among participants with sufficient vs insufficient physical activity (OR, 1.260, 95 percent CI, 1.124–1.412).

Participants with fresh fruit intake ≥100 g/day and sufficient physical activity had the highest likelihood of glycaemic control when compared with those with both fresh fruit intake <100 g/day and insufficient physical activity (OR, 1.758, 95 percent CI, 1.471–2.102).