(HealthDay News) — Consuming whole fruit is associated with a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online June 2 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Nicola P. Bondonno, Ph.D., from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, and colleagues examined the associations between intake of fruit and measures of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity as well as diabetes at follow-up among 7,675 participants of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (mean age, 54 ± 12 years at baseline).

The researchers observed an inverse association for total fruit intake with serum insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA2) of ß-cell function (a measure of insulin secretion or ß-cell activity), and a positive association with HOMA2 of insulin sensitivity at baseline. After adjustment for dietary and lifestyle confounders, participants with moderate total fruit intake (quartile 3) had 36% lower odds of having diabetes at five years (odds ratio, 0.64) compared with those with the lowest intake (quartile 1). Associations with outcomes at 12 years were not statistically significant.

“We found people who consumed around two servings of fruit per day had a 36 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next five years than those who consumed less than half a serving of fruit per day,” Bondonno said in a statement. “These findings indicate that a healthy diet and lifestyle which includes the consumption of whole fruits is a great strategy to lower your diabetes risk.”

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and nutrition industries.

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