Nuts and diabetes management: Nutritional and metabolic benefits

Abstrakt

The escalating global prevalence of diabetes has spurred the urgency for effective management strategies. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential role of dietary interventions, particularly the incorporation of nuts, in the management of diabetes. 

      This review aims to elucidate the nutritional significance of nuts and their potential impact on diabetes management. Articles used in this narrative review were retrieved from Scopus, Google scholar, ResearchGate, and other research platforms using keywords/phrases such as ‘diabetes’, ‘diabetes management’ ‘dietary strategies for diabetes’ as well as ‘nuts in diabetes management’. Only articles written in English, peer-reviewed, and focused on dietary strategies for managing diabetes were included in this narrative review.

      Findings showed that nuts, abundant in unsaturated fats, fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals, exhibit favourable effects on glycaemic regulation, insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles. Accumulated evidence from epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses suggests that habitual nut consumption holds promise in ameliorating glycaemic control, mitigating cardiovascular complications, and augmenting overall health outcomes among individuals with diabetes. However, the specific mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be fully elucidated, and further research is warranted to establish optimal recommendations for nut consumption in the context of diabetes management. 

Although incorporating nuts into a balanced diet represents a promising and practical approach for enhancing the nutritional quality and metabolic health of individuals with diabetes, it is essential to address potential allergenicity and safety concerns associated with their consumption.

Keywords: nuts, diabetes, glycaemia, insulin resistance, lipid profile