Lead researcher Gerald Hart says that early stages of the disease, scientifically known as "pre-diabetes", are characterised by increased reaction rates between sugars called hexosamines and proteins in the body.
According to him, the results can be seen in the blood as raised levels of a particular sugar, known as O-linked ß-N-acetylglucosamine.
Hart says that the new test can help measure levels of this compound and, thereby, diagnose pre-diabetes.
The researchers hope that people with pre-diabetes can be made aware of their condition in this way, and recommended necessary dietary changes to prevent the development of full-blown diabetes, reports New Scientist magazine. (ANI)
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