Sound Bites With Melissa Joy Dobbins

Diet has a significant role in disease development and protection, particularly when it comes to certain diseases like diabetes. More recently, the quality of carbohydrates and fats has been examined more closely for their impact on health. Epidemiologic studies have revealed that consumption of refined carbohydrate-containing diets and/or diets high in saturated fat may be associated with increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes and risk for coronary heart disease. Dietary patterns emphasizing certain nutrients, such as monounsaturated fats (MUFA), while decreasing other components, such as saturated fats or refined, readily digestible carbohydrates, may have favorable effects on cardio-metabolic health. Fresh avocados are a distinctive fruit characterized by their nutrient profile that includes MUFA, dietary fiber and several essential micronutrients and bioactive phytochemicals. A study published in the journal Nutrients (September 2018) investigated the strategy of incorporating fresh avocados into a break