Nut consumption lowers women's type 2 diabetes risk

AORN Journal, Feb, 2003

Women who eat nuts or peanut butter at least five times per week can lower their risk for type 2 diabetes significantly, according to a Nov 26, 2002, news release from the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston. Researchers tracked more than 83,000 women with no history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer from 1980 to 1996. Participants were sent food frequency questionnaires approximately every four years. The questionnaires included information about nut and peanut butter consumption.

Women who reported frequent consumption of peanut butter reduced their risk for type 2 diabetes by nearly 20% compared to those who reported rarely eating peanut butter. Women who reported eating nuts at least five times per week reduced their risk for type 2 diabetes by nearly 30% compared to women who reported rarely or never eating nuts. Reduced risk was independent of known risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including body mass index, family history, level of physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol use, and dietary factors.

People with type 2 diabetes do not produce adequate amounts of insulin, or their bodies do not use insulin effectively. Nuts contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which improve insulin sensitivity and lower serum cholesterol. They also are rich in antioxidant vitamins, minerals, plant protein, and dietary fiber. Researchers suggest, however, that people substitute nuts for less healthy foods, such as refined carbohydrates and red meat, instead of adding caloric intake from nuts to their regular diets because nuts have high fat content.

Women Who Eat Nuts or Peanut Butter Regularly Significantly Reduce Their Risk for Type 2 Diabetes (news release, Boston: Harvard School of Public Health, Nov 26, 2002) http.//www.hsph.harvard.edu/press/releases/press11262002.html (accessed 6 Dec 2002).