The Correlation between Intake of Vitamin C and β-Carotene and Fasting Blood Sugar: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in Diabetic Patients of Fasa Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Diet and nutrition are strongly implicated in the etiology of type 2 diabetes. This study has investigated whether low vitamin C and β-carotene intakes were associated with glycemic control in diabetic patients.Methods: In a cross-sectional analysis of diabetic adult patients participating in Fasa Cohort Study, a 24-h dietary recall was used to assess intake of fruits, vegetables, vitamin C and β-carotene. The associations between vitamin C and β-carotene intakes and glycemic control were determined in 3 groups of normal glucose tolerance, pre-diabetes mellitus, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the relationship between fasting blood glucose (FBS) and vitamin C and β-carotene intakes wasinvestigated.Results: There were no differences between groups for intake of total vitamin C and β-carotene (p>0.05). An inverse relation was recognized between intake of total vitamin C and β-carotene and FBS (p<0.05).Conclusion: A negative association was observed between FBS and intake of vitamin C and β-carotene; however more experimental studies are needed to establish whether increase in intake of vitamin C and β-carotene can improve FBS level and prevent T2DM.

Keywords

• vitamin c
• β-carotene
• fasting blood glucose
• type 2 diabetes mellitus
• fasa cohort study