If you have type 2 diabetes and your blood sugar is under good control, eating a sandwich with butter and cheese might raise your blood pressure after a few hours — but swapping that butter and cheese for tahini might not have the same effect.

What we've found so far does not support the idea that eating a margarine-and-cheese meal raises blood pressure in people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes, while a tahini meal does not. Our analysis of the available research shows that 46.0 claims refute this idea, and 0 support it [1]. We looked at the evidence to see if there’s a difference between how a margarine-and-cheese meal versus a tahini meal affects blood pressure in people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Based on what we’ve reviewed so far, the evidence leans against the claim that swapping butter and cheese for tahini makes a meaningful difference in blood pressure response [1]. That doesn’t mean it never happens — it means the current body of evidence does not back this specific effect. We did find one claim suggesting that a butter-and-cheese sandwich might raise blood pressure, while tahini might not [1]. However, that claim is not supported by any studies, and it’s contradicted by 46.0 other pieces of evidence. Because of this, our current analysis cannot confirm any unique blood pressure benefit from tahini in this context. It’s also important to note that our understanding is based on what’s been studied so far — and science keeps evolving. We’re not ruling out the possibility that future research could reveal nuances we haven’t seen yet. But right now, the weight of evidence we’ve reviewed does not point toward a clear difference between these meals in terms of blood pressure impact. Practical takeaway: If you have well-controlled type 2 diabetes, there’s no strong evidence that replacing a margarine-and-cheese meal with a tahini-based one will help manage your blood pressure. Focus on overall dietary patterns and talk to your healthcare provider about what eating choices work best for your health.