Sweets Improving Insulin Sensitivity

"Can something that is sweet and taste very good improve insulin sensitivity? Food that is sweet is usually one of the factors causing insulin resistance since sweet foods raise the blood glucose high and triggers a big insulin response. When receptors on the cells are exposed to a lot of insulin over time, they get less insulin sensitive. The following research can for that reason be surprising. The participants were obese insulin-resistant men and women. They were evaluated before the research started and after 6 week. This was a double-blind placebo-controlled study and the participants were consuming either a smoothie containing blueberry actives, or a placebo with equal amount of calories twice daily for 6 weeks. The researchers found that the group consuming the blueberry smoothies improved their insulin sensitivity while the placebo group did not. It is not only the glycemic index that is important when it comes to food. Even though blueberries are sweet, they were able to improve the insulin sensitivity which is interesting. This is because of the other nutrients berries contain. Berries, and especially blueberries are producing other interesting and beneficial results also. If you are not already eating blueberries, start to eat some every day. Reference Stull AJ, Cash KC, Johnson WD, Champagne CM, Cefalu WT.Bioactives in blueberries improve insulin sensitivity in obese, insulin-resistant men and women.J Nutr. 2010 Oct;140(10):1764-8. Find out more on healthy eating by checking out our Learn to Eat program!  "