Results from the Harvard Nurses' Health Study, involving some 84,000 women over a 16-year period, reveal that consumption of nuts (almonds, walnuts or peanut butter) reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes even if other risk factors were present. Women who reported eating 150g of nuts per week had their type 2 risk reduced by 27% compared to those never eating nuts. Eating 30 to 120g per week reduced risk by 16%, even when other risk factors were present. While it is recognised that such nut intake will add to fat and hence energy intake (albeit unsaturates), even less than one 30g serve per week reduced risk by 8%. Interestingly, women who ate nuts were less heavy, took more exercise and smoked less than non-nut eaters. The findings were not affected by correction for participants' body mass index, smoking or alcohol intake.
Source: Jiang R, et al. J Am Med Assoc 2002;2554-60

Originally posted 14 Feb 2003