What scientists observe when present at levels even within acceptable limits.
Regular consumption of water containing arsenic may increase the risk of developing diabetes, even if the level of the chemical is low, according to a new study.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring compound. It can be found everywhere in the environment around us (eg water, air, soil, food). However overexposure to it can cause many problems these include:
- Hematological, neurological and gastrointestinal diseases
- Cancer (eg, skin, internal organs)
Columbia University scientists wanted to investigate whether arsenic causes diabetes and is consumed in acceptable concentrations. So they analyzed data from 7,568 volunteers who participated in two research programs between 2000 and 2003.
Their findings Published in the medical journal Diabetes Care. As the researchers explained, 1,791 volunteers participated in the SHFS (Strong Heart Family Study) clinical study. The remaining 5,777 participated in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) study.
Researches started in 2001-2003 and 2000-2002 respectively. None of the participants had been diagnosed with diabetes at baseline. Scientists followed their health progress until 2010 and 2019, respectively.
findings
Scientists found that the more arsenic the volunteers were exposed to in their drinking water, the greater their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In fact, every doubling of arsenic concentration was associated with a 10% increase in the likelihood of developing the disease. In fact, this was true even at low levels, i.e. below acceptable limits.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a limit of 10 µg/l for arsenic in drinking water. The new study found that the risk of developing diabetes increased even at lower concentrations.
Risk increase arsenic in water he was older for:
- Participants with normal body weight (Body Mass Index below 25 kg/m2)
- To women
As explained by the professors of the EKPA Therapeutic Clinic at Alexandra Hospital Stavroula Pashu (Docent of Endocrinology Department) and Theodora Psaltopoulou (Professor of the Department of Therapeutic-Epidemiology-Preventive Medicine), the main cause of type 2 diabetes is obesity.
However”it is important to recognize and eliminate other environmental aggravating factors. Arsenic in water can affect our health either immediately if consumed in large amounts or gradually if consumed in smaller amounts over a long period of time.”, they emphasize.
And they come to the following conclusion:This study showed that even small increases in low, acceptable levels of arsenic in water (below 10 µg/L) were associated with the development of type 2 diabetes after several years.“.