Fruit and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Data was provided by 10 cohorts, including a total of 12,731 cases.
Significant protective associations were found in 3 cohorts, incuding 5,647 cases (44% of all cases). No other (non)significant associations were found in any cohort.

Inclusion of intermediate levels of consumption:
Significant protective associations at any level of consumption were found in 3 cohorts (Bazzano LA, at the highest quintile of consumption [median 200 g/d]; Montonen J, at ≥ 156 g/d; and Villegas R, at the 2nd-3rd quintile of consumption [median 170 and 239 g/d]), these cohorts included 6,517 cases (51% of all cases).
Significant protective effects with intermediate levels of consumption were found in 2 other cohorts: among overweight women at the 3rd quintile of consumption [median 153 g/d] in one cohort (Liu S), and with fruit consumption 2-5.9 times/day in another cohort (Hodge AM). Fruit consumption was defined in frequency of consumption, rather than g/servings/cups over a given time unit in the latter cohort. But if frequency equals servings, the range of consumption for a protective effect would overlap with the range from the first 3 cohorts (≥ 156-170 g/day, but ≤ 239 g/day), and thereby stengthen the possibility of an effect.



RRs for the association between total fruits and diabetes risk (g/day):


Conclusion: Significant protective associations of high vs low consumption were found in 3 out of 10 cohorts, including 44% of all cases. Suggestive evidence was found for a protective effect of high fruit consumption against type 2 diabetes risk.
Significant protective effects at an intermediate range of consumption were found in 3 cohorts - two of which were of moderate-large size -, including 51% of all cases. Findings from 2 other cohorts seem to strenghten the possibility of an effect at this range of consumption. Fruit possibly protects against type 2 diabetes risk at the range of consumption of ≥ 156-170 g/day, but ≤ 239 g/day.