Short Oral Presentation Nutrition Society of Australia 50th Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Effects of nut consumption patterns on the 24-hour glucose homeostasis of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A pilot study (146214)

Zhen Yu 1 , Ilili Regassa 1 , Jeewanadee Hettiarachchi 1 2 , Michelle A. Keske 1 , Lewan Parker 1 , Shaun Mason 1 , Elena S. George 1 , Sze-Yen Tan 1
  1. Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
  2. National Ageing Research Institue, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterised by impaired glucose regulation, with postprandial glucose excursions contributing substantially to glycaemic burden. (1) Food composition has a direct impact on glycaemic response and nuts rich in unsaturated fatty acids, fibre and protein may modulate postprandial glycaemic response. (2) However, effects of timing and temporal pattern of nut intake throughout the day on 24-hour glucose profiles remain unclear. This pilot study aimed to compare the effects of different nut consumption patterns on 24-hour glucose profiles in adults with T2DM. This randomised, controlled, crossover study recruited 13 adults who self-reported diagnosed with T2DM. Participants attended both baseline and final visits at Deakin University, and completed 5-day glucose monitoring in a free-living environment between study visits. All participants underwent three conditions in random order with one-day washout in between: 1) Control (no nuts), 2) 1-Meal (42 g almonds consumed with breakfast), and 3) 3-Meals (14 g almonds consumed with each of the 3 main meals; total 42 g). Macronutrient-matched meals were provided on intervention days 2, 4, and 6, while usual diet were followed on washout days (days 3 and 5). Continuous glucose monitors (Guardian™ 4 Sensor, Medtronic) were used to assess 24-hour glucose response during each condition. Twenty-four hour and meal-specific glucose profiles were aligned based on participant’s glucose peak from 120 minutes before and after the peak. Twenty-four-hour mean glucose, time in range, time above range, mean absolute glucose change and coefficient of variation were assessed using all available observations (Control n = 11; 1-Meal n = 11; 3-Meals n = 10) and repeated in participants with complete data across all three conditions (n = 8). Between-condition differences were examined using linear mixed-effects models, followed by estimated marginal means and pairwise comparisons. Of the 13 recruited participants, 12 contributed to data analysis; one was excluded due to technical errors. Mean glucose was 8.38, 8.25 and 7.98 mmol/L under the Control, 1-Meal and 3-Meals condition respectively (p = 0.88). No significant between-condition differences were detected in any 24-hour glycaemic outcomes (all p > 0.05). The complete-case analysis produced a similar finding, with mean glucose of 8.33, 8.30 and 8.34 mmol/L respectively (overall p = 0.99). Peak glucose-aligned profiles suggested meal-specific variations, with 3-Meals condition showing a higher and more prolonged glucose response following breakfast, but a lower glucose peak following lunch and a faster post-peak decline following dinner. In this pilot study, the structure of nut consumption did not alter overall glucose profiles of adults with T2DM, possibly due to small sample size. However, descriptive peak-aligned profiles suggested potential meal-specific differences, which may have implications for optimising meal timing strategies for glycaemic management. Future larger, adequately powered studies are required to confirm these findings.

  1. Ruijgrok C, Blaak EE, Egli L et al. (2021) Eur J Nutr 60, 259-273
  2. Griel AE, Kris-Etherton PM (2008) Br J Nutr 99(2), 447-8