Almonds have long been hailed as a nutritious snack item for many reasons—not the least of which is for their impact on factors related to diabetes. For the nearly 26 million Americans for which diabetes is a way of life, dietary changes are often the first and most effective ways to manage diabetes, and eating almonds may be the most satisfying! Research supporting almonds’ impact on blood glucose levels and risk factors for diabetes has grown exponentially over the last decade, showing that adding almonds to a healthy, diabetes-friendly diet may actually help improve certain risk factors for the disease.

Pre-Diabetes
A study published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition demonstrated that consuming an American Diabetes Association-recommended diet where 20% of total calorie intake came from almonds helped improve insulin sensitivity in individuals with prediabetes. Insulin sensitivity is a measure of how well your body processes glucose. The study results also indicated that adding almonds to this diet can also help maintain health cholesterol levels.  . Nutrients in almonds, such as fiber and unsaturated fat, have been shown to help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood glucose levels.

To read more about the study, click here

Breakfast and Glucose Levels
Breakfast has even more reason to be called the most important meal to the day.  According to a study published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism, consuming a breakfast containing almonds, which is a low glycemic index food, aids in stabilizing blood glucose levels for the better part of the day.  In addition, study participants felt fuller for a longer period of time. This is good news if you are looking for a food to keep you satisfied until lunch.

To read more about the study, click here

Heart Disease and Diabetes
People who have diabetes often are at higher risk for heart disease. Results from a study published in Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental suggests that incorporating almonds into the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) step II diet can improve insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results also suggested that adding almonds to the NCEP step II diet can help maintain health blood cholesterol levels in these patients.

To read more about the study, click here.
To learn more about the National Cholesterol Education Program, click here

Just a Handful a Day
Portion control is always important in a healthy diet, and with almonds all you need to know is that a handful of almonds—about 23—makes the perfect one-ounce portion to crunch on every day. So keep almonds in your car, at your desk or carry in our handy California Almond Tin for a tasty, crunchy snack to keep your energy up and your cravings down throughout the day. 
 

Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.  One serving of almonds (28g) has 13g of unsaturated fat and only 1g of saturated fat.