Fast-Food Choices That Are Powering India's Diabetes Epidemic: ICMR

A recently conducted clinical trial has revealed the connection between consuming products rich in Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE) to India rising cases of diabetes. Food-items such as fried food choices, cakes, chips, and mayonnaise, and ultra-processed foods with high AGEs are accountable for this health scare.

What's one of the leading cause of diabetes in India? 

The government-sponsored study undertaken by researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), found that consuming AGE-rich foods leads to inflammation, which is considered an enhancer of diabetes.

Published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, the research revealed a low-AGE diet, and rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and low-fat milk, can deplete he level of oxidative stress and inflammation in overweight and obese individuals.

What did the earlier studies reveal? 

Despite previous studies linking processed foods to chronic diseases, data on the impact of AGEs within Indian diets has been sparse. This study addressed that gap by investigating how different diets affect glucose and lipid metabolism in a diverse population. The trial involved 38 non-diabetic participants, all of whom were either overweight or obese. They were split into two groups: one consumed a high-AGE diet, while the other followed a low-AGE regimen.

AGEs are formed when sugars and proteins react at high temperatures, a process exacerbated by certain cooking methods and the consumption of processed foods. AGEs can also lead to insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, both of which play a crucial role in the development of type 2 diabetes.