Nut consumption; body weight and insulin resistance.
The beneficial effects of nuts on cardiovascular health are well known. However; since nuts provide a high caloric and fat content; some concern exists regarding a potential detrimental effect on body weight and insulin resistance. The current data available did not support such a negative effect of nut consumption on the short term or when nuts are included on diets that meet energy needs. Furthermore; there is some intriguing evidence that nuts can help to regulate body weight and protect against type II diabetes. This; however; still has to be proved and more research is needed to address the specific effects of nuts on satiety; energy balance; body weight and insulin resistance.
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) consumption improves Glutathione and HDL-cholesterol levels in experimental diabetes.
The aim of this investigation was to assess the influence of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) consumption on oxidant-antioxidant status and lipid profile in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. 32 rats were divided into 4 groups as control; control+peanut; diabetic; diabetic+peanut. Control and diabetic groups were fed on standard rat chow whereas control+peanut and diabetic+peanut were fed on standard rat chow supplemented with 0.63 g % peanut for 12 weeks. Serum glucose levels; lipids; Glutathione (GSH); lipid peroxidation (LPO) and atherogenic index (AI) levels were determined at the end of the experiment. In the diabetic group TG (Triglyceride); TC (Total cholesterol); LDL-C (LDL-cholesterol) levels and atherogenic indexes increased significantly whereas HDL-C (HDL-cholesterol) level decreased significantly compared to the control group. The supplementation with peanut in the diabetic group led to significantly higher HDL-C levels and lower AI levels compared to diabetic group. Peanut consumption increased GSH levels significantly both in control and diabetic groups. In conclusion; this study shows that peanut consumption may improve oxidant-antioxidant status in healthy and diabetic status without increasing blood lipids. Moreover; increased HDL-C levels and decreased AI levels in diabetic rats indicate that; peanut consumption may have protective effects against cardiovascular complications of diabetes.