I really don't get this, but here goes: according to a report summarized on the website DiabetesHealth, weight gain reduces the severity of heart disease in type 1 diabetics. Huh? How can that be possible, I'm wondering? After all, we live in a world where weight gain is considered a great evil, a threat to individual health, a drain on our healthcare resources etc. etc. And now this!?

The findings come from the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications Study, which was conducted over a period of sixteen years and involved the participation of 225 type 1 diabetes patients. The Pittsburgh people agree more fat on the bones adds up to one heck of a big risk factor for heart disease. However, they also say that if you're type 1 and do get heart disease, carrying extra weight makes the heart disease less severe. They also report that this effect is especially true for women. So, the big question: why? The researchers think it's because heavier people may have better insulin control. But don't run for the local Burger Barn; weight gain is not desirable as it does more harm than good in the long run.

This sounds too easy to be true - at least, for those people who love spicy foods: an Australian study claims that regular consumption of chili peppers can improve insulin control. Researchers from the University of Tasmania say their experiments with chilis improved insulin control in study participants by about sixty percent. Wow! That's a whole lot, huh? (But a bummer if you hate spicy food...)

The study took thirty-six people, had them eat a regular (non-spicy) diet for a month, then switched them to a chili-diet for a month. According to the manufacturer of the chili blend used to pep up the meals, the capsaicin content of the spice was about 33 mg per 30 grams of chili blend. I include this for any chili connoisseurs who might be reading - I personally have no idea how hot this would be - mild? medium? spicy? raging fire?

Check out this article in Nutra Ingredients to read more about the study and why the researchers say chili works for diabetics.