Effect of almonds on insulin secretion and insulin resistance in nondiabetic hyperlipidemic subjects: a randomized controlled crossover trial (original) (raw)

Effect of diets enriched in almonds on insulin action and serum lipids in adults with normal glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2002

Background: Nuts appear to have cardiovascular benefits but their effect in diabetic patients is unclear. Objective: The objective was to assess effects of almond-enriched diets on insulin sensitivity and lipids in patients with normoglycemia or type 2 diabetes. Design: Study 1 assessed the effect of almonds on insulin sensitivity in 20 free-living healthy volunteers who received 100 g almonds/d for 4 wk. Study 2 was a randomized crossover study that compared 4 diets in 30 volunteers with type 2 diabetes: 1) high-fat, high-almond (HFA; 37% total fat, 10% from almonds); 2) low-fat, high-almond (LFA; 25% total fat, 10% from almonds); 3) high-fat control (HFC; 37% total fat, 10% from olive or canola oil); and 4) low-fat control (LFC; 25% total fat, 10% from olive or canola oil). After each 4-wk diet, serum lipids and oral glucose tolerance were measured. Results: In study 1, almond consumption did not change insulin sensitivity significantly, although body weight increased and total and LDL cholesterol decreased by 21% and 29%, respectively (P < 0.05). In study 2, total cholesterol was lowest with the HFA diet (4.46 ± 0.14, 4.52 ± 0.14, 4.63 ± 0.14, and 4.63 ± 0.14 mmol/L with the HFA, HFC, LFA, and LFC diets, respectively; P = 0.0004 for fat level). HDL cholesterol was significantly lower with the almond diets (P = 0.002); however, no significant effect of fat source on LDL:HDL was observed. Glycemia was unaffected. Conclusions: Almond-enriched diets do not alter insulin sensitivity in healthy adults or glycemia in patients with diabetes. Almonds had beneficial effects on serum lipids in healthy adults and produced changes similar to high monounsaturated fat oils in diabetic patients.

Effect of almond consumption on insulin sensitivity and serum lipids among Asian Indian adults with overweight and obesity– A randomized controlled trial

Frontiers in Nutrition

BackgroundAsian Indians have an increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes and premature coronary artery disease. Nuts, like almonds, are rich in unsaturated fat and micronutrients with known health benefits.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of almonds for reduction of insulin resistance and improving lipid profile in overweight Asian Indian adults.MethodsThis parallel-arm, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in Chennai, India on 400 participants aged 25–65 years with a body mass index ≥ 23 kg/m2. The intervention group received 43 g of almonds/day for 12 weeks, while the control group was advised to consume a customary diet but to avoid nuts. Anthropometric, clinical, and dietary data were assessed at periodic intervals. Glucose tolerance, serum insulin, glycated hemoglobin, C-peptide and lipid profile were assessed at baseline and end of the study. Insulin resistance (homeostasis assessment model-HOMA IR) and oral insulin disposition index (DIo) were calcul...

Effects of almond on cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Phytotherapy Research, 2022

An enhanced risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) still exists even when T2DM patients have tight control on blood sugar. Thus, identification of treatment approaches that address CVD risk factors may be useful for patients beyond the blood sugar management. Although emerging evidence suggests that nuts consumption have beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health, the effects of almond intake in patients with type 2 diabetes are still controversial. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the effect of almond on cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with T2DM through a systematic review and meta‐analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar to identify relevant RCTs up to March 2021. There was no language and time limitation. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was pooled using a random effects model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were reported using standard methods. Nine RCTs were included in the final analysis. Almond intake resulted in significant reduction in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) (WMD: −5.28 mg/dL; 95% CI, −9.92, −0.64; p = .026) compared with the control group. This lowering effect of LDL‐C was robust in subgroups with almond consumption &gt;50 g/day, and baseline LDL‐C level &lt;130 mg/dL. However, the effect of almond on total cholesterol, triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, weight, body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and CRP was not significant compared with the control group. In summary, the current meta‐analysis indicated that almond consumption decreased LDL‐C, and had no favorable effect on other cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with T2DM. However, further high‐quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the almond.

Effects of Consuming Almonds on Insulin Sensitivity and Other Cardiometabolic Health Markers in Adults With Prediabetes

Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2019

Objective: This study was designed to assess the effects of replacing high-carbohydrate (CHO) foods with raw almonds on insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic health markers in overweight or obese adults with prediabetes. Method: This randomized crossover study consisted of two 6-week dietary intervention periods, separated by a ! 4-week washout. Subjects incorporated 1.5 oz of raw almonds twice daily or isocaloric CHO-based foods into their diets, with instructions to maintain body weight. Dietary intakes as well as insulin sensitivity, CHO metabolism indices, lipoprotein lipids and particles, and inflammatory markers were assessed. Results: Thirty-three subjects (17 male, 16 female), mean age 48.3 ± 2.2 years and body mass index 30.5 ± 0.7 kg/m 2 , provided evaluable data. Compared to CHO, almonds resulted in significantly (p < 0.01) higher intakes of protein, fat (unsaturated fatty acids), fiber, and magnesium and significantly (p < 0.001) lower intakes of CHO and sugars. No differences were observed between diet conditions for changes from baseline in the insulin sensitivity index from a short intravenous glucose tolerance test or other indices of glucose homeostasis. No significant differences were observed in biomarkers of cardiovascular risk except that the CHO intervention led to a shift toward a higher concentration of cholesterol in small, dense low-density lipoprotein subfraction 3+4 (LDL3 þ 4) particles (p ¼ 0.024 vs almonds). Conclusions: Intake of 3.0 oz/d raw almonds, vs energy-matched CHO foods, improved the dietary nutrient profile, but did not significantly affect insulin sensitivity and most markers of cardiometabolic health in overweight and obese men and women with prediabetes.