Lagatar24 Desk
NEW DELHI: A first-of-its-kind clinical trial by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has shed light on the significant role ultra-processed and fried foods play in India’s growing diabetes epidemic. Conducted by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, an ICMR Centre for Advanced Research in Diabetes, the study revealed that foods rich in Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs)—such as samosas, chips, parathas, and sugary foods—are aggravating diabetes in India.
AGEs and Their Impact on Health
Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) are harmful compounds formed through a process called glycation, where proteins or lipids interact with sugars, leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and cellular damage. The accumulation of AGEs has been closely linked to various health complications, including diabetes. According to the study, a low-AGE diet can significantly reduce diabetes risk by improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar levels.
The study, funded by the Department of Biotechnology and published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, involved 38 overweight and obese adults over a 12-week period. Researchers compared the effects of a high-AGE diet, which included red meat, fried foods, and bakery products, with a low-AGE diet consisting of green leafy vegetables, fruits, fish, boiled foods, and brown rice. The findings were clear—those on the low-AGE diet showed improved health outcomes, while the high-AGE group displayed elevated levels of AGEs and inflammation.
Cooking Methods Matter
The study further highlighted how cooking methods can influence AGE levels in food. Frying, roasting, and grilling are known to increase AGEs, while boiling helps keep them in check, offering a practical solution for reducing diabetes risk.
Diabetes Crisis in India
India is grappling with one of the world’s most significant public health challenges, with over 101 million Indians currently living with diabetes. The urban population is particularly vulnerable, driven by lifestyle changes that promote physical inactivity and easy access to unhealthy foods. “The rise in the diabetes epidemic in India is primarily driven by obesity, physical inactivity, and consumption of unhealthy diets rich in AGEs,” said Dr. V Mohan, chairman of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation.
This groundbreaking research has provided a potential dietary strategy to combat diabetes in India by emphasizing the importance of low-AGE diets and healthier cooking methods.
