Nuts are rich in nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, vitamin B-6 and iron and make a healthy snacking option for people with Diabetes. Nuts have very few carbohydrates and can be consumed as a mid-meal snack. A recent research study published in The Journal of Nutrition has tried to study the effect of cashew consumption on the blood pressure, blood sugar levels and lipid levels of people with Type 2 Diabetes..The study was conducted on 300 individuals in India who are between 30 and 65 years and who have been diagnosed with Diabetes for more than 10 years. The participants in the control group were provided standard Diabetes diet plan along with medication and exercise. The intervention group was recommended consumption of 30 g of raw, unsalted cashew nuts every day along with a diet plan for 12 weeks. They were also asked to continue their prescribed medication and exercise regime.The study has found that regular consumption of cashew nuts have significantly improved the HDL (good cholesterol) levels of people in the intervention group as compared to the control group. Their systolic blood pressure had lowered by 1.9 times in comparison to the control group. The lipid levels, body weight and blood sugar levels were found to be the same throughout the study. The study has concluded that moderate consumption of cashew nuts does not cause an increase in the body weight, LDL (bad cholesterol) and BMI levels. The results of this study suggest some health benefits of cashew nuts but more research is required.
Nuts are rich in nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, vitamin B-6 and iron and make a healthy snacking option for people with Diabetes. Nuts have very few carbohydrates and can be consumed as a mid-meal snack. A recent research study published in The Journal of Nutrition has tried to study the effect of cashew consumption on the blood pressure, blood sugar levels and lipid levels of people with Type 2 Diabetes..The study was conducted on 300 individuals in India who are between 30 and 65 years and who have been diagnosed with Diabetes for more than 10 years. The participants in the control group were provided standard Diabetes diet plan along with medication and exercise. The intervention group was recommended consumption of 30 g of raw, unsalted cashew nuts every day along with a diet plan for 12 weeks. They were also asked to continue their prescribed medication and exercise regime.The study has found that regular consumption of cashew nuts have significantly improved the HDL (good cholesterol) levels of people in the intervention group as compared to the control group. Their systolic blood pressure had lowered by 1.9 times in comparison to the control group. The lipid levels, body weight and blood sugar levels were found to be the same throughout the study. The study has concluded that moderate consumption of cashew nuts does not cause an increase in the body weight, LDL (bad cholesterol) and BMI levels. The results of this study suggest some health benefits of cashew nuts but more research is required.
