Garlic intake lowers risk of diabetes

A recent study involving older Chinese adults has shown the benefits of garlic consumption in reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM).

“This benefit varies by age, current residence, drinking status, education level, occupation, and economic source,” according to the researchers. 

Data from the 2008–2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey were used in this study. The research team obtained data on garlic consumption by questionnaire and DM by self-reported diagnosis. They determined the incidence of DM by estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs) using a multivariate adjusted Cod regression model.

Of the 1,927 participants included in the analysis, 24.08 percent consumed garlic daily, and 20.08 developed DM. Daily garlic consumption led to a 42-percent decrease in the risk of DM development when compared with rare or no garlic consumption.

In subgroup analyses, daily garlic consumption resulted in a significant reduction in DM risk among older adults aged 65–79 years (HR, 0.54, 95 percent CI, 0.3–0.80), those living in rural areas (HR, 0.48, 95 percent CI, 0.29–0.77), nondrinkers (HR, 0.60, 95 percent CI, 0.41–0.86), those with informal education (HR, 0.46, 95 percent CI, 0.29–0.74), those with financial dependence (HR, 0.39, 95 percent CI, 0.23–0.65), and those on agricultural work (HR, 0.49, 95 percent CI, 0.32–0.76).

“Future efforts should focus on developing dietary intervention strategies that consider demographic, educational, financial, and occupational disparities to effectively prevent diabetes in older populations,” the researchers said.