Frontiers in Nutrition · Oct 21, 2026

Acute study of the glycemic, insulinemic and triglyceride responses on white bread with peanuts and cashews in different forms (whole nut, nut butter and nut milk)

By Mohamed Salleh S, Bte Syed Abdullah SF, Bhaskaran K

Frequent nut consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and mortality, particularly in individuals with diabetes, highlighting their potential health benefits. This study investigated the acute postprandial glycemic, insulinemic, and triglyceride responses to white bread consumed with peanuts and cashews in three forms: whole nuts, nut butter, and nut milk. Given that particle size and food form influence postprandial responses, it was hypothesized that nut milk would significantly modulate these metabolic parameters compared to whole nuts and nut butter. Fifteen healthy participants completed a randomized crossover study. Participants consumed a standardized serving of 42.5 g of peanuts or cashews in each form alongside two slices of white bread. Compared to white bread alone, all nut forms significantly attenuated postprandial glucose peaks and reduced glycemic responses, with a slight increase in insulin responses. Notably, nut butter and nut milk elicited 52 and 44% higher triglyceride responses, respectively, compared to whole nuts. Furthermore, peanuts resulted in a lower glucose incremental area under the curve (iAUC, 2 h) and a higher triglyceride response than cashews. However, these differences were not statistically significant. The incorporation of peanuts and cashews into white bread demonstrated improved glycemic control. While nut form primarily impacted triglyceride responses, suggesting a critical role for lipid bioaccessibility in modulating postprandial lipid metabolism, it did not significantly influence glucose or acute insulin responses. These findings suggest that prioritizing whole nuts over highly processed forms in a high-carbohydrate meal could be a beneficial dietary strategy for individuals managing diabetes or cardiovascular disease risk.

doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1838715Open accessPubMed 42984848Interventions