Diet linked to type 1 diabetes risk in children, study finds

A new study by researchers at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has found that certain foods may influence the risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children genetically predisposed to the disease.

The research, involving 5,674 Finnish children tracked from birth to age six, suggests that consuming bananas, oats, and yoghurt may increase the risk of T1D, while strawberries, blueberries, and other berries may offer protective benefits.

The study found that 94 children developed T1D, and 206 showed signs of islet autoimmunity, a precursor to the disease, noting that some fruits may contain pesticides, possibly explaining the increased risk, while berries could be free of such harmful substances.

The authors of the study said that the findings are preliminary, and no dietary recommendations for infants should be made at this stage.

In related research, another study from the Netherlands presented at the same conference found that “night owls” are almost 50% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, possibly due to lifestyle factors or disruptions to circadian rhythms.