When one talks about diabetes it’s usually the carbohydrate that gets all the attention in diabetes management however, there is another important nutrient considered as part of a balanced diet which has an important role in diabetes and that is fat. Eating right type and amount of fat can be advantageous in our healthy lives as fat is important since it provides cushioning to organs, stores energy, protects the body against elements, supports cell growth and prevents early cell death but can increase in oil content in food cause diabetes?
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Mahesh DM, Consultant Endocrinology at Aster CMI Hospital in Bengaluru, answered, “Our body requires carbohydrates, fat and protein. It is inaccurate to say that any food containing fat is unhealthy. Each type of oil includes different beneficial healthy fatty acids for the body. It is thus strongly advised to change the type of oil every three to four months. Trans-fat, on the other hand, is a saturated fat that raises the risk of diabetes by 7%. Cooking oil, however, tends to degrade throughout the frying process, undergoing a chemical shift that alters the makeup of the oil’s fatty acids. Foods cooked in that deteriorated oil absorb fatty acids and other harmful substances.”
He cautioned, “The acids and compounds contribute to ballooning waistlines, unhealthy cholesterol and blood pressure changes and higher levels of oxidative stress—all of which could explain the links between fried food consumption and higher rates of diabetes and heart disease to 39% to 50%. For example, a person who consumes fried food four to six times per week has a nearly 39% probability of developing diabetes but a person who consumes fried food more than seven times per week has a 50% chance. The calories in fried meals are twice as high as in carbohydrates. In comparison to fat, which has 9 calories per gram, carbohydrates have 4 calories. However, processed foods are a deadly combination of high saturated fat and high carbohydrate, which can result in a number of health problems.”
According to Dr Srinath Aswathiah, Senior Consultant Diabetology and Endocrinology at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital in Bengaluru, since fats are higher in calories per gram the key thing is being mindful of portions. He advised, “Eating the right type of fat is also important for reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and other health related problems. It is therefore vital to know different types of fat. Basically, there are four main types of fat: saturated, trans fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat. Several health societies and dietetic organizations recommend including more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats than saturated or trans fats in your diet.”
He explained, “Each type of oil includes different beneficial healthy fatty acids for the body. Virgin olive oil is meant to be consumed raw with salads and rice mixtures and not heated. Its role in diabetes is that it has an antioxidant called tyrosol, which helps to improve insulin resistance. It also reduces the risk of obesity. Sesame oil can benefit skin and hair. Nevertheless, because sesame oil contains a lot of vitamin E and other antioxidants. It is also beneficial for a diabetic patient since it is also good at keeping your blood sugar and cholesterol in control. Rice bran oil is very healthy and good for diabetic patients In fact using sesame oil and rice bran oil together as cooking oil may reduce high blood glucose.”
He added, “Rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, groundnut or peanut oil is beneficial for diabetics because it helps keep bad cholesterol under control. It also contains vitamin E. Coconut oil has numerous health benefits for skin, hair and your overall health. It reduces appetite and burns fat better and it also helps in fat reduction and weight management. Additionally, it contains good saturated fats that can be used to efficiently control blood sugar levels.”
