Nut Consumption Could Treat, Prevent Diabetes

Eating nuts could help treat Type 2 diabetes, according to researchers.

Canadian researchers found that eating tree nuts seems to help lower and stabilize blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes patients.

The latest review involved data from 12 clinical trials and 450 participants. Researchers found that eating about two servings a day of tree nuts significantly improved blood sugar and fasting glucose levels.

Researchers found that participants who replaced refined carbohydrates with tree nuts experienced the most benefits.

Participants ate 56 grams of tree nuts a day. A fourth of a cup or 30 grams of tree nuts is equivalent to one serving.

Researchers said the latest findings suggest that nut consumption can be a way for diabetics to stabilize their blood sugar and glucose levels. Researchers said that the tree nuts consist of things like almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, walnuts, pine nuts and pistachios. Tree nuts do not include peanuts.

Lead researcher Dr. John Sievenpiper, a physician and researcher in the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center of St. Michael's Hospital said that while nuts have high fat content, the fat is healthy unsaturated fat that did not appear to contribute to weight gain.

"Tree nuts are another way people can maintain healthy blood sugar levels in the context of a healthy dietary pattern," Sievenpiper said.

The findings are published in the journal PLOS ONE.

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