06 August 2019
Nuts and diabetes
Research shows that nuts play an important role in preventing type 2 diabetes [1], managing existing diabetes [2], and preventing or reducing the progression of diabetes-related complications [2].
Eating just one handful of nuts four times a week is associated with a 13% reduced risk of developing diabetes [1], and nuts can improve blood glucose levels and lower HbA1c for those with type 2 diabetes [2].
How do nuts help manage diabetes?
- While nuts are not low GI (they don’t have enough carbohydrate), they have a GI lowering effect, meaning that they reduce the overall GI of a meal [3].
- Nuts contain mainly healthy unsaturated fats (mono- and polyunsaturated fats), and are low in saturated fats. Replacing saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats improves insulin sensitivity and reduces T2DM risk [4].
- Nuts are a good source of fibre. Diets high in fibre have been shown to help manage diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and can reduce the risk of developing diabetes [5, 6].
- Most nuts are a rich source of magnesium, which can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Magnesium also improves fasting blood glucose and blood lipid levels in people with diabetes [7].
How many nuts?
Research supports eating at least 30g, or about one handful of nuts four times a week to reduce the risk of developing diabetes [1].
Which nuts are best?
Studies have been conducted on many different tree nuts, all showing benefits. The take out? All nuts help prevent or manage diabetes, so enjoy a variety of nuts every day. However, it’s best to enjoy raw or roasted, unsalted nuts as your everyday choice, saving salted nuts for special occasions.
Did you know?
People with diabetes are more than twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease and are more likely to have abnormal blood lipids including high cholesterol and triglycerides and lower ‘good’ HDL cholesterol [8]. Carrying extra weight is also a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, and can make managing diabetes more difficult.
So, how can nuts help?
Evidence shows that eating nuts regularly can reduce your risk of developing heart disease and can improve cholesterol levels [9, 10]. Nuts are also associated with reducing the risk of overweight/obesity, as well as decreasing body weight, BMI and waist circumference [11].
References
- Afshin, A., et al., Consumption of nuts and legumes and risk of incident ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr, 2014. 100(1): p. 278-88.
- Viguiliouk, E., et al., Effect of tree nuts on glycemic control in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled dietary trials. PLoS One, 2014. 9(7): p. e103376.
- Kendall, C.W., et al., The glycemic effect of nut-enriched meals in healthy and diabetic subjects. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, 2011. 21 Suppl 1: p. S34-9.
- Riserus, U., W.C. Willett, and F.B. Hu, Dietary fats and prevention of type 2 diabetes. Prog Lipid Res, 2009. 48(1): p. 44-51.
- Salmeron, J., et al., Dietary fiber, glycemic load, and risk of NIDDM in men. Diabetes Care, 1997. 20(4): p. 545-50.
- Salmeron, J., et al., Dietary fiber, glycemic load, and risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in women. Jama, 1997. 277(6): p. 472-7.
- Dong, J.Y., et al., Magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Diabetes Care, 2011. 34(9): p. 2116-22.
- Barr, E.L., et al., Risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in individuals with diabetes mellitus, impaired fasting glucose, and impaired glucose tolerance: the Australian Diabetes, Obesity, and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab). Circulation, 2007. 116(2): p. 151-7.
- Aune, D., et al., Nut consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMC Med, 2016. 14(1): p. 207.
- Neale, E., et al., The effect of nut consumption on heart health: an updated systematic review of the literature. 2018. Nuts for Life, unpublished.
- Li, H., et al., Nut consumption and risk of metabolic syndrome and overweight/obesity: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and randomized trials. Nutr Metab (Lond), 2018. 15: p. 46.
