Aim Assess the relationship between date palm fruit consumption and diabetic control among Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects and methods Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 404, aged 55.3 ± 9.7 years) were included in this study. Height, weight and blood pressure were initially measured. Blood glucose levels (fasting and random), glycated hemoglobin HbA 1c , total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides were retrieved from the patient's medical records. The amount and frequency of habitual consumption of date fruits were obtained from patients using a validated dietary questionnaire. Results The results revealed that high consumption of date fruits was statistically significantly correlated with lower HbA 1c and fasting blood glucose (p < 0.01). Conclusion This cross-sectional study found an association between high date fruit consumption by patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and lower HbA 1c and fasting blood glucose levels. Further studies are required to verify this interesting finding

Background: Food intake has important implications for patients with type 2 diabetes. Objective: Similarly, in other crop species, this observational study aimed to assess dietary carbohydrate (CHO) and non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) intake and examine their association with glycemic control among Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Design: We investigated dietary intake in 404 patients (207 males and 197 females) with T2DM between November 2018 and March 2019. Dietary intake was assessed by face-to-face interviews using a validated dietary questionnaire. Results: The results revealed that dietary CHO intake (67% of energy) exceeded the recommended daily intake, and white rice (Basmati rice) was the major contributor to CHO intake. However, the dietary NSP intake was lower than recommended, and it was negatively associated with HbA 1c levels. Conclusion: This cross-sectional study showed that dietary CHO intake was high among Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes, and that their daily intake of NSPs was correlated with a lower level of HbA 1c. Dietary advice should be given for patients with diabetes to reduce their intake of starchy food such as rice.