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Nuts Against Diabetes and Obesity |
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Friday, 19 May 2006 |
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The risk of type 2 diabetes, the most common form often linked to obesity, may be lowered by eating nuts occasionally, according to a recent study. Researchers believe that unsaturated fats in nuts may allow the body to use insulin more effectively and regulate blood glucose, though further research is needed to confirm the study’s results. The study found a tendency among women who consumed more nuts to weigh and smoke less and be more active than women who ate fewer nuts. However, the association between nuts and diabetes risk remained even when factors such as body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol intake were removed.
In a study of 84,000 female nurses in the U.S., women who ate about 5 ounces of nuts a week had a 27 percent lower risk of developing diabetes than those who rarely or never ate nuts. In women who ate 1 to 4 ounces of nuts a week, the risk was 16 percent lower, and for those who ate less than 1 ounce per week the risk was eight percent lower. Since nuts are high in fat, they should act as a substitute for other foods, such as meats or grain products, to avoid weight gain. Researchers note that weight gain can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. JAMA November 26, 2002;288:2554-2560 |
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