Lower The Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes In Women
Contributed by: NAPSA
Lower The Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes In Women
(NC) - For almost two decades, scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health have been busy studying the association between nut consumption and the risk of Type 2 diabetes - and their findings are promising.
The study suggests that eating nuts and peanut butter may help lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes in women.
"Type 2 diabetes is undoubtedly a growing concern for adults and children, and learning how to prevent or manage this disease is crucial," says Susan Mah, Registered Dietitian. "It's encouraging to hear about the health benefits of the foods we love. Considering the average Canadian eats 2.7 kg of peanuts a year, this is good news!"
Diabetes affects more than 2 million Canadians. Some 90 per cent of those with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes - a growing problem that is linked to obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Peanuts and peanut butter are high in unsaturated fat and are a nutrition powerhouse containing fibre, folate, magnesium, zinc and vitamin E. Previous studies have confirmed that nuts can play a role in the prevention of CVD and obesity, and this is the first to extend their influence to reducing risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Study Facts
- Study participants: 83,818 women
(34-59 years old) with no history of diabetes, CVD, or cancer
- 1980: subjects completed a dietary questionnaire
- Scientists followed up for 16 years
- 1996: 3,206 subjects had developed Type 2 diabetes
Study Findings
- Eating nuts and/or peanut butter lowered the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes
- Reduction in risk was greatest in those who had the highest nut consumption
- Those who never/ almost never ate nuts had no change in risk
- Those who consumed nuts (1oz/ 30g serving) less than once per week, had an 8 per cent lower risk
- Those who consumed nuts 1-4 times per week had a 16 per cent lower risk
- Those consuming nuts 5 or more times per week, had a 27 per cent lower risk
- Those who consumed peanut butter five or more times per week (the equivalent of 5 tablespoons) had a 21 per cent lower risk compared to women who never or almost never ate peanut butter
- Subjects who ate more nuts and who were at higher risk due to their other factors (e.g. overweight, smoking) had a lower risk than those who ate fewer or no nuts
So spread the news! Regular or daily consumption of nuts and peanut butter can play a beneficial role in our diet and contribute to reducing risk of CVD, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
