Know which nutrients can REALLY fight diabetes
You can always count on the media to get it wrong.
I'm sure you've seen the headlines that claim eating chocolate and drinking wine can help control blood sugar and prevent diabetes.
Too good to be true?
You bet it is -- because the study didn't really find that at all. What it found is that people who get the most flavonoids from their diet have lower insulin resistance and better blood sugar control.
And with that, they may have a lower risk of diabetes.
But the secret isn't wine and chocolate, as the headlines might lead you to believe. It's in two types of flavonoids in particular: flavones and anthocyanins.
You'll find anthocyanins in berries, especially blackberries, blueberries and strawberries, while top sources of flavones include herbs such as parsley, thyme and oregano as well as celery and chili peppers.
Tea is also a terrific (and delicious) source of flavonoids.
That said, you will find some in both wine and chocolate -- but that doesn't mean you should load up on booze and candy bars.
The problem with wine is the alcohol. A glass of wine every now and then probably won't hurt you, but a wine habit regular enough to be considered a source of nutrition -- even a moderate one -- will come with risks, including an increased risk of cancer and cognitive decline.
Chocolate is a little better for you. It's not only a terrific source of flavonoids, it's also proven to be good for both the heart and brain -- and, despite the fact that it contains sugar, chocolate can even help to control blood sugar and prevent diabetes.
But you won't get those benefits if you gobble down candy bar after candy bar. Stick to a small square or two of chocolate per day.
Just bear in mind that the best way to get a wide range of these great nutrients isn't with a single food, but a wide variety of healthy foods -- especially brightly colored fruits and vegetables, since most of the healthy flavonoids come from pigments.