Introduction

A government-funded study has shown that ultra-processed and fried foods rich in advanced glycation end products (AGEs) cause chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, an ICMR Centre for Advanced Research in Diabetes, conducted the study, marking the first of its kind in India. It found that low-age diets could help reduce diabetes risk. Published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, the study, funded by the Department of Biotechnology, recommends choosing healthier, low-age foods.

Findings

Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre explained that while AGEs form naturally in the blood, diet plays a crucial role. “Diets high in AGEs include red meat, french fries, bakery products, parathas, samosas, and sugary foods, while low-AGE diets consist of green leafy vegetables, fruits, fish, boiled items, and brown rice,” he said. The study also highlighted that cooking methods like frying, roasting, and grilling elevate AGE levels while boiling helps keep them lower.

Researchers studied 38 overweight and obese adults, aged 25 to 45, all with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 23 or higher. Over several months, participants who followed a low-AGE diet showed lower glucose levels and reduced inflammatory markers, according to Dr. Mookambika Ramya Bai, the study’s lead author. On the other hand, those who ate high-age foods displayed elevated glucose levels, increased insulin resistance, and higher inflammatory markers.

The study noted that rapid dietary changes in developing nations like India have led to a surge in the consumption of refined carbohydrates, fats, and animal products, alongside reduced physical activity. This shift has contributed to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and related health problems. Dr Mohan emphasized that obesity, unhealthy diets high in AGEs, and a lack of physical activity are driving the diabetes epidemic in India.

The research also reported a global increase in diabetes, pre-diabetes, and obesity, with India now home to 101 million people with diabetes. Insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation—all linked to obesity—raise the risk of non-communicable diseases like type 2 diabetes. In India, 40 per cent of the population is affected by obesity, which is associated with higher mortality rates.

Bottomline

The study concluded that conditions such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, and ageing, combined with factors like hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress, increase AGE levels in people with obesity.

Source: APN News