Almonds can prevent diabetes, heart disease
By IANSSunday, January 2, 2011
LONDON - Eating almonds can prevent diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers have found that eating nuts regularly may help treat type 2 diabetes, accounting for 90-95 percent of all cases.
It could also tackle cardiovascular disease, the Journal of the American College of Nutrition reports.
Diabetics have a shortage of insulin or a decreased ability to use the hormone that allows glucose to enter cells and convert to energy, according to the Daily Mail.
When diabetes is not controlled, glucose and fats remain in the blood and over time damage vital organs.
The study, conducted at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, looked at the effects of consuming an almond-enriched diet on 65 adults with pre-diabetes.
The group on the almond-enriched diet showed greater improvements in insulin sensitivity and significant reductions in LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) compared with the nut-free group.
Lead researcher Michelle Wien said: “It is promising for those with risk factors for chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, that dietary changes may help to improve factors that play a potential role in the disease development.”
