Effect of tree nuts on glycemic control in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled dietary trials.

Diabetes Superstar

Viguiliouk E, Kendall CW, Blanco Mejia S, et al.

PLoS One. 2014;9(9):e109224

To provide better evidence for diabetes guidelines development, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of tree nuts on markers of glycemic control in individuals with diabetes.

Data sources included ​​MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases through 6 April 2014. Studyselection included randomized controlled trials ≥3 weeks conducted in individuals with diabetes that compare the effect of diets emphasizing tree nuts to isocaloric diets without tree nuts on HbA1c, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR.

Pooled analyses show that tree nuts improve glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes, supporting their inclusion in a healthy diet. Owing to the uncertainties in the analyses there is a need for longer, higher quality trials with a focus on using nuts to displace high-glycemic index carbohydrates.

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