Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people. It occurs when insulin is not produced properly by the body. Too much insulin and too little insulin can cause blood sugar levels to drop or rise and cause a variety of symptoms. There is no known cure for diabetes and while certain people are more likely to be diagnosed with it than others, almost everyone is susceptible.

There are many things you can do to protect yourself, keep your blood sugar levels healthy and lower your risk of diabetes. Two recent studies show that staying active and exercising often is one way and eating foods that are flavonoid-rich is another.

Doctors have long told patients who are at risk for diabetes that staying active will help regulate blood sugar naturally and make them less likely to end up with the disease. Staying active also helps lower cholesterol and weight, which is also associated with diabetes risk.

While eating a healthy diet will result in a healthy body, certain foods are healthier than others. Berries, chocolate, red wine and certain teas all contain flavonoid. The study showed that people who consume more foods that contain high levels of flavonoid had the least insulin resistance.

“We showed in population-based studies that higher habitual intakes of one class of flavonoids called anthocyanins, compounds responsible for the red/blue color of berries and other fruits and vegetables, can improve the way we handle glucose and insulin and reduce inflammation – a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes,” said Aedin Cassidy, a nutrition researcher at the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School.

A new blood test has made diabetes diagnosis easier than ever and could save thousands of lives. The blood tests will allow doctors to provide earlier diagnosis and treatment and help more people deal with their diabetes before it gets out of control.

What are your tips for living with diabetes?

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