Strawberries and Risk of Diabetes in Adults

Strawberries are popularly consumed fruits in the US and are a rich source of several bioactive compounds with demonstrated health benefits in T2D and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Based on previously reported studies, strawberries have been shown to improve elevated lipid profiles/dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and inflammation in adults with the metabolic syndrome or prediabetes. In a recently reported study, strawberries at a dose of two-and-a-half servings per day for four weeks was shown to significantly reduce insulin resistance and serum adipokines in obese adults. These results conform to only a few reported trials using strawberries in adults with cardiometabolic risks. While these study findings are clinically meaningful, these warrant urgent investigation in trials of longer duration specifically targeting adults with impaired fasting glucose (vs. other features of the metabolic syndrome) as well as adults with diagnosed T2D with poor glycemic control despite taking medications. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, only one clinical trial has been reported on the role of strawberries in improving glycemic control, oxidative stress, and inflammation in adults with T2D. While these results are encouraging, they lack generalizability due to the short duration of the study (six weeks) that precludes accurate changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as a stable biomarker of glucose control. Based on these gaps in the existing literature, the investigators will examine the effects of strawberry supplementation at a dose of 2.5 servings/day for 12 weeks on glycemic control and related cardiometabolic profiles in prediabetes in a randomized controlled crossover trial.

Inclusion criteria

• At least 18 years of age
• Waist size greater than 40 inches in men or 35 inches in women
• Blood glucose greater than 100mg/dL but less than 126 mg/dL or glycated hemoglobin less than 6.5%
• Insulin resistance >1.0
• Not on diabetes medications
• Normal liver and kidney function tests

Exclusion criteria

• Allergy to strawberries
• Smoke or drink alcohol on a regular basis
• Pregnant or lactating