Faster eating can raise diabetes risk, says study

A new study carried out in Japan has revealed that people who eat their food faster are at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, it has emerged. The research showed that those who eat food quickly are twice as likely to develop impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), which is also known as prediabetes.
It was recommended that eating slowly, on the other hand, can keep down the risk of developing diabetes in later life. When the scientists examined people who had other problems with their eating patterns, such as late night eating or snacking, however, the increase in diabetes risk was not found.
Once the study took into account risk factors such as weight, sex, age, family history of diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, alcohol consumption and smoking, eating fast was the only factor that was seen to substantially raise the chances of development of IGT.
Having IGT means there are higher than normal levels of blood glucose in the body, but they are not usually high enough to cause diabetes, although this can progress to type 2 diabetes if no preventative steps are taken to help the patient. It is believed that around 40 to 50 per cent of people suffering from IGT will go on to develop type 2 diabetes within the next decade.