Cruciferous vegetables shown to stabilise blood sugar and reduce type 2 diabetes risk

A team at Edith Cowan University has reported that regular consumption of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and kale can improve blood sugar stability and support metabolic health in people at risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

A controlled dietary study by researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU), in Perth, Australia, has provided evidence that cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale and cabbage could play a beneficial role in the management of blood sugar levels, particularly among people vulnerable to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Emma Connolly, a doctoral candidate, examined whether cruciferous vegetable intake could improve glycaemic control compared with root and squash vegetables in adults who were not diabetic but had elevated blood pressure. The randomised, controlled, crossover trial required participants to consume four servings per day of either cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale, or root and squash vegetables, such as carrot, potato, pumpkin and sweet potato, with their lunch and dinner meals for a two-week period.

“Our participants wore glucose monitors throughout the study, so that we were able to measure blood sugar levels continuously throughout each two-week period,” said Ms Connolly.

“We found that, when participants consumed the cruciferous vegetables, they had less variable blood sugar levels compared with when they consumed the root and squash vegetables.

“We also noted that these participants had a smaller spike in sugar levels after meals. A central goal of blood sugar control, particularly for people with type 2 diabetes, is to smooth out spikes and reduce variability in blood sugar levels throughout the day.

“Stable blood sugar, with minimal peaks and fewer fluctuations, is associated with better overall health and wellbeing,” she added.

Ms Connolly said further research is necessary to understand the mechanisms responsible for these findings and to explore their clinical implications.

“Continued investigation will be crucial to determine how these vegetables can be effectively incorporated into dietary recommendations for improved blood sugar regulation and overall health management,” she concluded.

Globally, poor glycaemic control affects an estimated 541 million people. Ms Connolly noted that dysregulated glucose metabolism increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which together impose a significant societal and economic burden.

Dr Lauren Blekkenhorst, co-investigator on the study, emphasised the importance of increasing daily vegetable intake.

“Fewer than one in fifteen Australian adults meet vegetable intake recommendations. Even more concerning is that cruciferous vegetables are among the least consumed. Adding vegetables like broccoli, kale, bok choy, gai lan and cabbage to meals on most days could make a significant difference to long-term health,” she said.

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