Pharmacological effect of walnuts consumption on metabolic syndrome: a current view

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide (WHO, 2017). In addition to the global and national morbidity and mortality burdens of the disease, it imposes a substantial economic burden on society. The American heart association predicts that by 2035, 45% of Americans will suffer from CVD with costs expected to reach $1.1 trillion annually. Clinical trials have demonstrated that a nut-containing diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, while high in poly and monounsaturated fatty acids has a beneficial effect on plasma lipids and lipoproteins when compared with either a low fat or average American diet. Other bioactive compounds present in walnuts, including micronutrients, fiber, and phytochemicals, may also contribute to their cardio protective effect by reducing inflammation, improving vascular reactivity, and lowering oxidative stress. It has been demonstrated that the consumption of walnuts resulted in significant reduction in body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat, increased lean body mass and an increased amount of water in the body. A large population cohort study also demonstrated a marked reduction in body weight and other anthropometric parameters in people on regular consumption of walnuts.

The role of honey in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a review of literature

The use of honey in the control of hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is a current option being explored globally. Honey bees which are named in Latin as Apis, use the collected nectar from plants to produce honey after regurgitation and digestion of nectar. Carbohydrate constitutes about 80% of the components of honey. It includes monosaccharides [fructose (37.5%) and glucose (30.6%), disaccharides (sucrose (1.6%) and maltose (2.7%)] and oligosaccharides. Natural honey also contains water (17.2%), proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, acids such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and other components. Honey is rich in antioxidant content and these antioxidant compounds function as endogenous cellular antioxidant defences against free radicals in diabetes mellitus. Antioxidants have also been shown to exert a beneficial effects on blood glucose. Fructose and other bioactive constituents of honey have also been linked with amelioration of hyperglycemia. Besides the beneficial effects of honey on blood glucose, honey is widely used in the management of diabetic foot ulcers, an important complication of diabetes mellitus. The wound-healing benefits of honey are attributed to its antioxidant constituents and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Though additional studies are needed, the use of honey in the management of diabetes mellitus holds much promise.