Regular peanut consumption may be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is the conclusion reached by researchers who found that peanuts alter the composition of fats in the blood. The findings were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN).
The researchers combined data from two scientific studies. The first involved 63 healthy adults aged 18 to 33. For six months, they consumed either 25 grams of roasted peanuts, 32 grams of peanut butter, or a control product made from peanut oil every day. In the second study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 27,000 people.
The results showed that peanut consumption significantly changes the composition of blood lipids. In particular, it increases the levels of certain long-chain fatty acids involved in metabolic processes.
Further analysis revealed that this lipid profile was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, the researchers found no similar association with the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Body mass index (BMI) played an important role. The researchers found that the association between changes in blood lipid composition and a reduced risk of diabetes was largely explained by body weight. This may indicate that fats found in peanuts play a role in metabolic processes and the accumulation of adipose tissue.
The authors suggest that peanuts may be a beneficial component of a balanced diet because they contain unsaturated fatty acids. However, the study does not prove that eating peanuts alone can prevent diabetes.
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