Diabetics could benefit from soya yoghurt

Soya yoghurt, especially with fruit in it, may help control both type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Although people with diabetes are usually discouraged from eating sweet snacks, soya yoghurt and some dairy yoghurts rich in fruit may help regulate enzymes that affect blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes, which affects up to 150 million people globally, is characterised by an abnormal rise in blood sugar, especially after a meal. This effect, known as hyperglycaemia, can damage blood vessels, kidneys, heart, eyes and nerves. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA, studied certain plant compounds that affect enzymes targeted by diabetes drugs, notably alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. They also checked on foods' effects on angiotensin converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors, medicines used to fight high blood pressure. The researchers went to a local supermarket and bought peach, strawberry, blueberry and plain yoghurt made by four different producers, including a soya brand. Tests in their lab showed that soy blueberry yoghurt strongly affected all the three enzymes. Peach and strawberry yoghurt also affected alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. The researchers tested the yoghurt varieties for antioxidants and plant compounds called phenols. Phenols and polyphenols give red wine and tea some of their heart-healthy benefits. It was found that plain soya yoghurt was the most potent, with blueberry dairy yoghurt scoring second on phenol and antioxidant content. Soya yoghurt was also the best at inhibiting ACE, which causes blood vessels to narrow and raises blood pressure. Cost-effective dietary changes are essential for fighting this disease, and traditional diets that have a higher content of these protective antioxidants are an important part of the solution.