Leafy diet 'may cut diabetes risk'

Broccoli, kale, spinach, sprouts and cabbage can reduce the risk by 14 per cent when eaten daily.

The vegetables are rich in antioxidants and magnesium, which has been linked to lower levels of diabetes.

Experts from the University of Leicester examined six existing studies and compared people's intake of green leafy vegetables.

They found those who consumed more than one serving a day had a lower risk of diabetes than people who barely ate any.

The current UK recommendation is for people to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, with one portion weighing 80g. (nearly 3oz)

"Increasing consumption of green leafy vegetables by one-and-a-half UK portions a day (121.9g, or 4oz) could result in a 14 per cent reduction in the incidence of Type 2 diabetes," the experts said.

They concluded that eating certain foods could have a protective effect but said studies on vitamin supplements had proved "disappointing".

Their review failed to find any significant benefit from increasing consumption of vegetables in general, fruit, or fruit and vegetables combined.

Nevertheless, the researchers said other studies have shown "fruit and vegetables are important components of the dietary patterns associated with a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes" and they contributed to a lower risk of heart disease.

The latest study included more than 223,000 people and was published online in the British Medical Journal.

The researchers concluded: "The results support the growing body of evidence that lifestyle modification is an important factor in the prevention of Type 2 diabetes.

"The potential for tailored advice on increasing intake of green leafy vegetables to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes should be investigated further."

In an accompanying editorial, Prof Jim Mann from the University of Otago in New Zealand, and research assistant Dagfinn Aune from Imperial College London, said the message on increasing overall fruit and vegetable intake must not be lost, and agreed the study was small.

However, they said green leafy vegetables could clearly can be included as one of five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: "We already know that the health benefits of eating vegetables are far-reaching but this is the first time that there has been a suggested link specifically between green, leafy vegetables and a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

"However, because of the relatively limited number of studies collated in this analysis, it is too early to isolate green leafy vegetables and present them alone as a method to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

"Diabetes UK would be concerned if focusing on certain foods detracted from the advice to eat five portions of fruits and vegetables a day, which has benefits in terms of reducing heart disease, stroke, some cancers and obesity as well as Type 2 diabetes.

"Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to devastating complications such as amputation, heart disease and stroke if untreated."

There are 2.35 million people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the UK. Up to half a million people also have the condition but do not know it.

n More people have quit smoking than ever before with the help of the NHS.

Some 373,954 successfully gave up in 2009/10, an 11 per cent rise on the 337,054 who gave up in 2008/09.

The figure for last year is 49 per cent of the 757,537 people who used the NHS quit service during the year.

The NHS Information Centre figures relate to people in England who had successfully stopped smoking when they were followed up after four weeks.