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

Scientific Claim

No significant association was found between total fruit intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older adults, based on data from five prospective cohort studies with 204,654 participants and 8,563 incident cases.

Original Statement

“The summary estimates showed no significant benefits of increasing the consumption of fruit... (hazard ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.83 to 1.01, P=0.27).”

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 uses neutral language and correctly reflects the non-significant association found. The hazard ratio and confidence interval are accurately reported without implying causation.

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 big study looked at lots of people over time and found that eating more fruit didn’t lower or raise the chance of getting type 2 diabetes—so the claim that fruit doesn’t affect diabetes risk is backed up.

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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