A new research shows eating tree nuts helps alleviate and stabilize blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes.
Tree nuts are almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, walnuts, pine nuts and pistachios. They do not include peanuts, which are legumes.
Researchers from Canada conducted a meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials and 450 participants. They found that consuming around two servings of tree nuts everyday considerably improved two main markers of blood sugar - the HbA1c test, that calculates blood sugar levels over three months, and the fasting glucose test, where patients are not allowed to eat or drink anything eight hours before the test.
For the study, the researchers told the participants to eat 56 grams of tree nuts daily. A fourth of a cup or 30 grams of tree nuts is equivalent to one serving. The research team observed that participants who switched from refined carbohydrates to tree nuts benefited more.
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, it is healthy unsaturated fat that aids in no weight gain. "Tree nuts are another way people can maintain healthy blood sugar levels in the context of a healthy dietary pattern," Sievenpiper said.
A recent study showed the benefits of almonds in reducing the risk of heart diseases. The research stated that almonds help keep the blood vessels healthy and prevent heart problems. These nuts also increased the amount of antioxidants in the blood stream, reduced blood pressure and improved blood flow.
The findings of the current are published in the journal PLOS ONE.
