The objective of the study was to examine intake of total and specific types of nuts, including tree nuts and peanuts, in relation to subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among individuals with diabetes.
 
A total of 16,217 participants (men and women with diabetes) were included in the study. Their nut consumption was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Participants were asked how often, on average, they had consumed nuts (serving size, 28 g [1 ounce]) during the preceding year: never or almost never, 1-3 servings/month, 1 serving/week, 2-4 servings/week, 5-6 servings/week, 1 serving/day, 2-3 servings/day, 4-6 servings/day, or >6 servings/day. They were required to update the survey every two to four years. During the study period, 3,336 people developed heart disease or stroke and 5,682 of the study volunteers died. Of those, nearly 1,700 died from heart disease or stroke. The study observed that participants who increased consumption of total nuts after diabetes diagnosis had an 11% lower risk of CVD, a 15% lower CHD risk, a 25% lower CVD mortality, and a 27% lower all-cause mortality. These findings provide novel evidence that supports the recommendation of incorporating nuts into healthy dietary patterns for the prevention of CVD complications and premature deaths among individuals with diabetes.
 
In conclusion, frequent consumption of nuts was associated with a lower risk of CVD incidence and mortality among participants with diabetes.
 
Liu, G., Guasch-Ferre, M., Hu, Y., Li, Y., Hu, F. B., Rimm, E. B., … & Sun, Q. (2019). Nut Consumption in Relation to Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Mortality among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Circulation Research, doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.314316.

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