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Two servings of tree nuts a day appears to lower and stabilise blood sugar levels in people with the disease, according to evidence collected from 12 clinical trials, The Daily Mail reported.

Tree nuts cover most types including walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts and pecans, but exclude peanuts.

The best results were seen when nuts replaced refined carbohydrates rather than saturated fats.

A single serving of tree nuts was defined as about a quarter of a cup, or 30 grams. Participants in the clinical trials were given 56 grams of nuts a day on average.

Dr John Sievenpiper from St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, who led the study, said: ‘Tree nuts are another way people can maintain healthy blood sugar levels in the context of a healthy dietary pattern.’

While nuts are high in fat, it is of the healthier unsaturated variety.

Although nuts can be high in calories, trial participants did not gain weight.