Researches show that almonds rich diet may help treat type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that consuming a diet incorporating almonds may help improve insulin sensitivity and decrease LDL-cholesterol levels in those with pre-diabetes, a condition that blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

    For this study researchers enrolled 65 adults with pre-diabetes (48 women and 17 men) with an average age in the mid-50s. The participants were split up, and the group on the ADA recommended almond-enriched diet showed greater improvements in insulin sensitivity and clinically significant reductions in LDL-cholesterol compared with the nut-free group.

    Dr Michelle Wien, assistant research professor in nutrition at Loma Linda University's School of Public Health, said: "We have made great strides in chronic disease research from evidence of effective treatment to evidence of effective prevention." The principal researcher for the study, which was conducted at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, added: "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."

Note: this study is conducted in a Western population and maynot be the same for Asians- JDC Gems Editorial.