May Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels

Almonds and walnuts, for example, have been demonstrated to help lower blood sugar levels. Despite their scarcity, hazelnuts have been shown in studies to help lower blood sugar levels. In one study, 48 participants with type 2 diabetes were given hazelnuts to see how they affected their fasting blood sugar levels. Half of the participants ate hazelnuts as a snack, while the rest served as a control group. The hazelnut group did not report substantial reductions in fasting blood sugar levels after eight weeks.

In another trial, 50 participants with metabolic syndrome were given 30 grams of mixed nuts — 15 grams of walnuts, 7.5 grams of almonds, and 7.5 grams of hazelnuts. The results demonstrated a considerable drop in fasting insulin levels after 12 weeks. Furthermore, oleic acid, the major fatty acid found in hazelnuts, has been demonstrated to improve insulin sensitivity. In a two-month trial of 11 persons with type 2 diabetes, an oleic acid-rich diet dramatically lowered fasting blood sugar and insulin levels while enhancing insulin sensitivity. A diet high in nuts, including hazelnuts, appears to help decrease blood sugar and boost insulin sensitivity.