If older guys who already exercise eat a small handful of walnuts every day for six weeks, it might help lower their blood sugar more than just exercising alone.

What we've found so far does not support the idea that eating 15 grams of walnuts daily for six weeks lowers fasting blood glucose more than exercise alone in trained elderly men. Our analysis of the available evidence shows no studies supporting this effect, while 54.0 assertions refute it. We reviewed one key assertion suggesting that older men who already exercise might see greater reductions in fasting blood glucose from adding walnuts to their routine than from continuing exercise alone [1]. However, the evidence cited for this claim shows no support—zero studies—backing that idea, and instead includes 54.0 assertions that go against it. This means the current body of evidence we’ve analyzed leans strongly against the idea that walnuts provide an added benefit for fasting blood glucose in this group beyond what exercise alone achieves. We don’t know the exact nature of the 54.0 refuting assertions—whether they come from clinical trials, meta-analyses, or reviews—because that detail wasn’t provided. But based on what we’ve reviewed so far, the balance of evidence does not favor walnut consumption as a way to further reduce fasting blood glucose in elderly men who are already exercising regularly. It’s important to note that our analysis is limited to the data provided. We’re not saying walnuts are ineffective for blood sugar control in all cases or for all groups. We’re only reporting what this specific set of evidence shows for trained elderly men comparing walnuts to continued exercise. Practical takeaway: For older men already doing regular exercise, adding 15 grams of walnuts daily may not lower blood sugar more than staying with their current routine—but this is based on limited analysis and could change as we review more evidence.