According to a study conducted by the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, and just published in the February issue of Diabetes Care, eating 2 ounces of walnuts per day as part of a normal diet may improve cardiovascular health in people with Type 2 diabetes.
(DERBY, CONN.) — According to a study conducted by the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, and just published in the February issue of Diabetes Care, eating 2 ounces of walnuts per day as part of a normal diet may improve cardiovascular health in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Prior studies have demonstrated potential benefit of walnuts in promoting heart health in healthy adults, but few have focused on diabetes. Since Type 2 diabetes raises the risk for cardiovascular disease, researchers at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center wanted to explore the effect of walnut intake on adults with diabetes.
A total of 24 adults with type 2 diabetes participated in the study and were instructed to eat 2 ounces of walnuts each day along with their normal diets during one 8-week period, and to simply follow their normal diets during another 8-week period. The order in which they followed the diets was randomly assigned, with an 8-week "washout" period in between.
The researchers compared the effects of the adults’ usual diets and walnut-enriched diets on their endothelial function- a measure of how well blood vessels are able to dilate and increase flow, and a powerful predictor of overall cardiovascular risk. Endothelial function is measured with ultrasound images of the brachial artery in the arm – a simple and painless procedure which provides a picture of the blood vessels. The team also assessed blood lipid levels, and blood glucose control.
The research team found that endothelial function improved significantly when people consumed the walnut-enriched diet for 8 weeks, compared to when they followed their normal diets. "We were very gratified by these findings," said Dr. David Katz, the principal investigator. "We all know the adage about ‘an apple a day,’ but in fact there are other foods that people should consider adding to their daily diets for specific health benefit. Walnuts rank high on that list."
Katz commented on the importance of testing foods for functional benefits in diabetes in particular. "There are tens of millions of diabetics in the U.S. right now, and unfortunately, that number will rise rather steeply for the foreseeable future. Identifying simple, accessible, and even enjoyable lifestyle practices that can mitigate the potential harms of diabetes is of clear public health importance."
Walnuts are a rich source of protein, polyunsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. Two ounces of walnuts, the amount used in this study, contains approximately 350 calories. Participants in the study were counseled on ways to adjust their diets to make room for the extra calories in the walnuts. Participants did not gain weight, indicating that even people at risk of weight gain can make room for walnuts, and their benefits, in their daily diets.
This study was funded primarily by the California Walnut Commission with supportive funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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