Insights & Discussion
Consuming walnuts does not significantly alter blood glucose levels, indicating cardiovascular protective effects of walnuts are not due to improved glycaemic control.
The study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of previous randomized trials that investigated the effects of walnut consumption on glycaemic control markers such as fasting blood glucose, insulin, and glycated Hb. Studies were found through a comprehensive search of databases including Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane up to March 2nd, 2019. The included studies' risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.
In light of the results, although 16 studies were included in the review, it was found that walnut consumption did not significantly impact fasting blood glucose levels or other markers for glycaemic control. Recognizing that the studies included in the analysis were either deemed to have 'some concerns' or 'high risk' of bias, these results suggest that the beneficial effects of walnuts on cardiovascular health aren't caused by improvements in glycaemic control.
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Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has beneficial health properties and can promote cardiovascular health, lipoprotein metabolism, and diabetes management in clinical nutrition.
2022 Nutrients Therapeutic Properties and Use of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Clinical Nutrition: A Narrative Review and Literature Update Jiménez-Sánchez A, Martínez-Ortega AJ, Remón-Ruiz PJ, Piñar-Gutiérrez A, Pereira-Cunill JL, García-Luna PP
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The methodology of this narrative review involved an extensive synthesis and illustration of the various characteristics and clinical applications of EVOO and its components such as oleic acid, hydroxytyrosol, and oleuropein. It looked at their significance in diet therapy, use in oleic acid-based enteral and parenteral nutrition formulations, and oral supplementation formulations.
In their discussion of the results, the researchers found diverse health benefits associated with EVOO. Particularly, they highlighted the potential of whole EVOO in diet therapy and its minor components in supplementation to enhance cardiovascular health, control lipoprotein metabolism, and manage diabetes mellitus within a clinical nutrition framework. It was seen as a significant addition to nutritional and dietary strategies, with a potential for therapeutic application in several diseases and clinical demographics.
Almond-based diets may be effective in promoting short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and lowering glycated haemoglobin and body mass index in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with control.
2021 Nutrients The Effects of Almonds on Gut Microbiota, Glycometabolism, and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials Ojo O, Wang XH, Ojo OO, Adegboye ARA
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The research was a systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis methodology. Diverse databases, including the Health Sciences Research Databases via EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and other article's reference lists, were thoroughly searched following the population, intervention, control, outcome, and study framework. The searches encompassed all relevant studies available from the inception of these databases until August 1, 2021.
Nine randomised studies were analysed, eight of which were used for the meta-analysis. Results revealed that diets rich in almonds foster the growth of gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids. Additionally, the analysis demonstrated that such diets effectively reduce both glycated haemoglobin levels and body mass index in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the effects of almonds were not significant concerning fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, various inflammatory markers, and certain other indicators of diabetes. The biological mechanisms attributed to reductions in glycated haemoglobin and body mass index are thought to be related to the nutritional composition of almonds, namely their high fibre content and low glycaemic index.
The consumption of cocoa or dark chocolate can reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and fasting blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
2021 Phytotherapy Research The effect of cocoa/dark chocolate consumption on lipid profile, glycemia, and blood pressure in diabetic patients: A meta‐analysis of observational studies Darand M, Hajizadeh Oghaz M, Hadi A, Atefi M, Amani R
Systematic Review Blood Sugar Cocoa Dark Chocolate
A systematic search of databases identified eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 433 participants for meta-analysis. The results demonstrated a substantial reduction in LDL-c levels (WMD: −15.49 mg/dl) and FBS concentrations (WMD: −6.88 mg/dl) following cocoa/dark chocolate consumption. The study emphasizes the potential positive effects of cocoa/dark chocolate on the metabolic profile of diabetic individuals.
The meta-analysis included RCTs focusing on cocoa/dark chocolate interventions in diabetic patients, with a significant pooled analysis showing reduced LDL-c and FBS levels. The findings suggest that incorporating cocoa/dark chocolate in the diet of diabetic individuals could be beneficial for managing lipid profile and glycemia. Further research is necessary to solidify these insights and understand the complete impact on metabolic health.
Walnut consumption coupled with concurrent training improves lipid profile, steroid hormone levels, and systematic inflammation in elderly men.
2021 Biology of Sport Moderate walnut consumption improved lipid profile, steroid hormones and inflammation in trained elderly men: a pilot study with a randomized controlled trial Kamoun A, Hammouda O, Turki M, Maaloul R, Chtourou M, Bouaziz M, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Cholesterol Cortisol CRP
The study created two matched groups of fit elderly men and placed one on a diet inclusive of walnuts (15g/day for six weeks) alongside their concurrent (resistance and endurance) training. The other group did the concurrent training without the walnut-supplemented diet. The study then took fasting blood samples from the participants 48 hours before and after the intervention for biochemical assessments.
The group consuming walnuts saw a significant improvement in their lipid profiles with increased high-density lipoprotein levels and decreased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels. The walnut-eating participants also saw an increase in testosterone levels after the training, which was significantly higher than the group not consuming walnuts. Additionally, the walnut-consuming group experienced lowered cortisol levels and decreased C-reactive protein compared to the group not consuming walnuts. It is plausible the results could be attributed to the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids in walnuts.
The supplementary intake of green tea does not significantly affect blood glucose, fasting insulin, hemoglobin A1c, and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
2021 Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews Effect of green tea on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis Asbaghi O, Fouladvand F, Gonzalez MJ, Ashtary-Larky D, Choghakhori R, Abbasnezhad A
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To examine the impact of green tea consumption on type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, a comprehensive search for relevant randomized controlled trials was conducted across multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, without any language or time restrictions until June 2019. Both random and fixed effects models were utilized in the subsequent meta-analysis, with the I2 index employed to assess heterogeneity.
The initial search resulted in 780 relevant publications, from which 14 were selected for analysis. The evaluation revealed that additional intake of green tea had negligible influence on fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, hemoglobin A1c, and insulin resistance indicators in individuals affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus. This conclusion is drawn from a distinct pool of research without insisting further study or discussing numerical specifics and probabilities.
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This study provides information that eating walnuts does not significantly affect fasting blood glucose so they may be a suitable food for people with diabetes who need to manage their blood sugar levels.
—Jinnan C 29 Aug 2021
Consumption of walnuts did not result in significant changes in fasting blood glucose levels (WMD: 0·331 mg/dl; 95 % CI −0·817, 1·479) or other outcome measures-- cant find full article..
— 24 Aug 2021