A study of nearly 140,000 women in the U. S.showed that regular helpings of a small portion ofnuts can have a powerful protective effect against adisease that is threatening to become a globalepidemic. Women who consumed a 28 gram packet of walnuts at least twice a week were 24per cent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who rarely or never ate them. Eatingwalnuts just two or three times a week can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by almost aquarter.

　　The latest findings, published in the Journal of Nutrition, are not the first to highlight theanti-diabetic effects of walnuts, with earlier research showing similar benefits. However, this isthought to be one of the largest studies to fmd regularly snarling on them can help preventthe condition. Although the latest research was carried out on female nurses, it's likely that thesame benefits apply to men.

　　According to the charity Diabetes UK, at the current rate of increase, the numbersaffected by type 2 diabetes in the UK will rise from around 2.5 million currently to four millionby 2025 and five million by 2030. Left untreated, it can raise the risk of heart attacks,blindness and amputation (截肢). Being overweight, physically inactive and having a poor dietare major risk factors for the disease.

　　Scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, U. S. , tracked 137,893 nursesaged from 35 to 77 over a ten year period to see how many developed type 2 diabetes. Theirdietary habits were closely monitored, including details on how often they ate nuts, particularlywalnuts. After allowing for body fat and weight, the researchers found eating walnuts one tothree times a month reduced the risk by four per cent, once a week by 13 per cent and at leasttwice a week by 24 per cent.

　　In a report on the findings the researchers said: "These results suggest higher walnutconsumption is associated with a significantly lower risk of type 2 diabetes in women: "Walnuts are rich in healthy fatty acids(脂肪酸)which have been shown to reduce inflammation(炎症) in the body and protect against heart disease, cancer and arthritis(关节炎). Last year,experts at the University of California Los Angeles also found young men in their twenties andthirties who ate walnuts every day increased their sperm count and boosted their fertility.

　　The research comes just after a Louisiana State University study which showed that eatingnuts can reduce people's risk of obesity. The study found that those who consumed varietiessuch as almonds and pistachios(开心果) demonstrated a lower body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference compared to non-consumers. They were also at lower risk ofdeveloping heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.