Eating more fruit and vegetables together doesn't seem to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a review of four large studies tracking thousands of adults over many years.

Scientific Claim

No significant association was found between combined fruit and vegetable intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older adults, based on data from four prospective cohort studies with 146,715 participants and 8,302 incident cases.

Original Statement

“The summary estimates showed no significant benefits of increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables combined... (hazard ratio 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.92 to 1.09, P=0.97).”

From study:Fruit and vegetable intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The claim correctly uses neutral language and accurately reports the non-significant result (HR=1.00, P=0.97), consistent with the observational design’s limitations.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Fruit and vegetable intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Human

This study found that eating more fruits and veggies together didn’t lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, which matches the claim — though eating lots of leafy greens like spinach might help a little.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Fruit and vegetable intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis

Score: 39

DOI: 10.1136/bmj.c4229

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