Peanuts and Type 2 Diabetes – getting risk factors under control

One key factor for diabetes prevention is appropriate eating habits, coupled with weight control and increasing levels of physical activity. Recent research from the University of Toronto has shown that peanuts and other nuts may play an important role in the dietary management of Type 2 diabetes by promoting glycemic control.

• Diets featuring peanuts and other legumes are all good fibre sources having a low glycemic index, essential for managing Type 2 diabetes.
• Consumption of both peanuts and peanut butter were show to protect against the development of this form of diabetes.
• Nuts including peanuts are high in unsaturated fat (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), magnesium and dietary fibre, which all have a beneficial effect on reducing diabetes risk.  
• In a Harvard study, researchers found that eating nuts and peanut butter was inversely associated with risk of Type 2 diabetes after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), family history of diabetes, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, and total calorie intake.

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