Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
First Supervisor
Nicola P. Bondonno
Second Supervisor
Catherine P. Bondonno
Third Supervisor
Jonathan M. Hodgson
Fourth Supervisor
Lauren C. Blekkenhorst
Abstract
The number of people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) globally increased to approximately 507 million in 2021 and continues to rise. Although T2D is largely preventable through a healthy diet, and higher vegetable intakes are recommended for T2D prevention, prior evidence from observational studies is weak and indicates only a marginal inverse association between higher vegetable consumption and T2D risk. Furthermore, potatoes, considered a vegetable in many parts of the world, are linked to a higher risk of T2D. In this thesis, I aimed to explore associations between intakes of 1) vegetables, 2) individual vegetables subgroups, 3) potatoes, and 4) key bioactive components of green leafy and cruciferous vegetables (namely vitamin K1 and nitrate), and both T2D incidence and markers of T2D in two large cohorts: the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Study and the Australian Diabetes, Obesity & Lifestyle Study. My findings indicate strong inverse associations between vegetable intakes––particularly green leafy and cruciferous vegetables––and T2D risk. Additionally, green leafy vegetable intakes were associated with better glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Potatoes, when prepared in a healthy way, were not associated with T2D risk while potato fries/chips were associated with a higher risk of T2D and poorer glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Intakes of both vegetable-derived nitrate and vitamin K1 were each associated with a lower risk of T2D pointing to these compounds as potential candidates explaining the benefit of green leafy and cruciferous vegetables in lowering T2D risk. If observed associations are causal, promoting higher intakes of green leafy and cruciferous vegetables could lower T2D at a population level, potentially due to their high content of nitrate and vitamin K1. Potatoes, when prepared in a healthy way should not increase T2D risk.
DOI
10.25958/b23r-1s14
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 6 June 2025
Recommended Citation
Pokharel, P. (2024). Dietary intake of vegetables and type 2 diabetes prevention. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/b23r-1s14
Included in
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Commons