Many store-bought peanut butters contain added sugars. The results of these and other small studies appear to suggest that peanut butter is some sort of diabetes “superfood.” However, there may be some risks. Scientists need to reproduce the results in a larger study to confirm that they were not down to chance. However, although the women in this study were at risk of developing diabetes, they did not have the condition.Īs such, the study does not give us a complete picture of how peanut butter for breakfast might benefit people with diabetes. Some diabetes drugs, such as Byetta (exenatide), try to mimic this hormone. The function of GLP-1 is important to people with diabetes. GLP-1 stimulates insulin production, lowers insulin resistance, and decreases appetite. Levels of a hormone called GLP-1 were also higher among those who ate peanuts, compared with the control group.
The researchers focused on the beneficial effects of the peanuts after the participants had consumed a high-carbohydrate lunch. The results were published in 2018.Ī 2012 study found that women with obesity - a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes - were able to manage their blood sugar throughout the day after eating peanut butter or peanuts at breakfast. They can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.Ī pilot study involving 16 healthy adults found that taking 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with white bread and apple juice led to a significantly lower glucose spike, compared with taking only bread and juice. These cycles of spiking and crashing blood sugar and insulin levels are not good for the body. Peanuts have a GI score of just 14, making them one of the lowest GI foods.Īfter eating a food that is high on the index, such as glucose, blood sugar levels will spike dramatically and quickly.Īfter this, a rapid fall in blood sugar can result in renewed hunger and tiredness. The GI is a 100-point scale that ranks foods according to how blood sugar and insulin change after eating specific food types.įoods that digest slowly and release sugar gradually into the bloodstream have a lower GI score. Share on Pinterest Peanuts have a very low GI score and release sugar gradually into the bloodstream.