Low Fruit Intake Is Driving India's Diabetes Crisis, New Study Finds

For years, diabetes prevention in India has largely focused on reducing sugar, sweets and processed foods. However, a new Asia-wide study suggests that the country's diabetes epidemic is also being fuelled by something many people are missing from their diets—enough fruit.

Published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Nutrition, the study analysed data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2023 covering 34 Asian countries. Researchers found that dietary risks contributed to nearly 10 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and 214,810 deaths linked to type 2 diabetes across Asia in 2023.

Among all dietary factors, low fruit consumption emerged as the largest contributor, accounting for approximately 3.6 million DALYs and nearly 86,000 deaths across the continent.

The findings also reveal that India's diabetes challenge differs significantly from many other Asian countries, highlighting the need for region-specific dietary recommendations.

Key Highlights

• A new study identifies low fruit intake as the leading dietary risk for type 2 diabetes across Asia.
• South Asia, including India, is more affected by low fruit and whole grain consumption than by excessive meat intake.
• India has an estimated 10.1 crore people with diabetes and 13.6 crore with prediabetes.
• Experts say many Indians consume too many refined carbohydrates and too little fibre, fruit and protein.
• Researchers recommend increasing whole fruits and whole grains instead of focusing only on reducing sugar.

FAQs

Why is low fruit intake linked to diabetes in India?

According to the study, fruits provide dietary fibre, vitamins, antioxidants and bioactive compounds that help improve blood sugar regulation and metabolic health. Insufficient fruit consumption may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

How is India's diabetes problem different from the rest of Asia?

While countries such as China, Japan and several Central Asian nations are seeing higher diabetes risks from diets rich in red and processed meat, India's primary dietary risks are low fruit intake and low whole-grain consumption.

How many people have diabetes in India?

Experts estimate that around 10.1 crore Indians are living with diabetes, while another 13.6 crore have prediabetes, placing them at a higher risk of developing the disease.

Why do experts advise eating whole fruits instead of avoiding them?

Many people mistakenly avoid fruits because of their natural sugar content. However, experts say whole fruits contain fibre, antioxidants and essential nutrients that help regulate blood sugar when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

What dietary changes do experts recommend?

Researchers recommend:

• Eating more whole fruits daily.
• Replacing refined grains with whole grains.
• Increasing dietary fibre intake.
• Including adequate protein in meals.
• Choosing healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, mustard oil and groundnut oil while limiting saturated fats.

What did Indian experts say about the findings?

Diabetologists said the study aligns with previous Indian research showing that diets high in refined carbohydrates and low in fibre, protein and whole foods contribute significantly to India's diabetes burden.