Eating nuts may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death in people with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online in Circulation Research.The researchers found that higher levels of nut consumption — especially tree nuts like walnuts, cashews, and almonds — were tied to greater reductions in cardiovascular risk.
Results showed that eating five or more 28-g servings of nuts per week was linked to a 17% lower risk of CVD, a 34% lower risk of CVD death, a 20% lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), and a 31% lower risk of death from all causes compared with eating less than one serving per month.
People who started eating more nuts after their diabetes diagnosis had additional benefits of an 11% lower risk of CVD, 15% lower risk of CHD, 27% lower risk of death from CVD, and 27% lower risk of death from all causes compared with people who did not increase their nut consumption after diagnosis.
Circ Res. 2019. Published online February 19, 2019. Abstract
