Walnut-Enhanced Diet Reduces Risk Of Diabetes And Heart Disease

A small American clinical study among adults with a higher-than-healthy body mass index (BMI) finds that consuming walnuts can improve blood vessel dilation and reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Participants had a BMI larger than 25, and a waist circumference exceeding 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women. All had one or more risk factors for metabolic syndrome, a precursor of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The group was randomly assigned to two 8-week sequences, eating either a walnut-enriched – 56 grams a day – regular diet or a regular diet without walnuts. Those on the walnut-enhanced diet showed improved blood flow in the brachial arterly and lower systolic blood pressure. And eating the walnuts did not lead to weight gain.