Green leafy veggies may reduce diabetes

LEICESTER, England, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Green leafy vegetables may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, researchers in Britain suggest.

Patrice Carter of the University of Leicester led a systematic review and meta-analysis that finds eating 1 1/2 servings of green leafy vegetables a day reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by 14 percent.

The findings, published online in the British Medical Journal, also reveal eating more fruit and vegetables combined do not seem to significantly affect this risk.

The authors suggest a need for further investigation.

"Our results support the evidence that 'foods' rather than isolated components such as antioxidants are beneficial for health," the study authors said in a statement. "Results from several supplement trials have produced disappointing results for prevention of disease."

Carter and colleagues reviewed six studies involving 220,000 participants that focused on the links between fruit and vegetable consumption and type 2 diabetes.