Nibbling on peanuts could fight diabetes

A HANDFUL of peanuts at meal times may reduce the risk of diabetes.

Researchers at penn State University in the U.S. believe that the peanuts will prevent the rapid spike in blood sugar that occurs after a meal.

In a small study, ten volunteers will eat three ounces of peanuts — around two small handfuls — after each meal. A control group of ten volunteers will eat only their normal meal.

earlier research suggests that peanuts help ‘mop up’ blood sugar, though experts are unclear exactly how they do this.

A small study at Arizona State University showed that those who ate peanuts after a high sugar meal had significantly improved blood sugar levels 30 minutes after eating compared with those who didn’t have peanuts after their meal.

The sharp rise and drop in blood sugar levels that can occur after a meal is linked to the development of diabetes in susceptible people.