Effects of almond consumption on metabolic function and liver fat in overweight and obese adults with elevated fasting blood glucose: A randomised controlled trial. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bowen, Jane; Luscombe-Marsh, Natalie D.; Stonehouse, Welma; Tran, Cuong; Rogers, Geraint B.; Johnson, Nathan; Thompson, Campbell H.; Brinkworth, Grant D.
• Is Part Of: Clinical nutrition ESPEN. Volume 30(2019)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Nuts -- Diet -- Overweight -- Obesity -- Glucose variability -- Liver fat -- Adiposity -- Lipids -- Glucose metabolism -- Inflammation; Nutritionally induced diseases -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.39005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.12.088
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-4577

Abstract

Summary: Background: Almonds are a rich source of bioactive components. This study examined the effects of daily almond consumption on glycaemic regulation, liver fat concentration and function, adiposity, systemic inflammation and cardiometabolic health. Methods: 76 adults with elevated risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) or T2D (age: 60.7 ± 7.7 years, body mass index: 33.8 ± 5.6 kg/m 2 ) were randomly assigned to daily consumption of either 2 servings of almonds (AS:56 g/day) or an isocaloric, higher carbohydrate biscuit snack (BS) for 8 weeks. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), glycaemic variability (GV), liver fat, serum aminotransferases, body weight and composition, markers of cardio-metabolic risk and systemic inflammation were assessed at baseline and week 8. Results: No group differential effects were observed on HbA1c, GV, body weight and composition, liver fat and aminotransferases, cardio-metabolic health and inflammatory markers (all P > 0.05). For serum TC/HDL-C ratio a significant gender × treatment × time interaction occurred ( P < 0.01), such that in women TC/HDL-C ratio was significantly reduced after AS compared to BS (−0.36 [0.26] mmol/L [n = 14] vs. −0.14 [0.32] mmol/L [n = 17]; P = 0.05), but not in men ( P = 0.52). Conclusions: Compared to BS, AS consumed between meals did not substantially alter glycaemic regulation, liver fat or function, adiposity, and metabolic health and inflammatory markers. Serum TC/HDL-C ratio improved in women, but not in men with AS; but as this sub-analysis was not defined a priori the results should be interpreted with caution. Further research should examine the longer-term health effects of regular almond consumption and differential gender responses. Clinical trial registry number and website: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12616000571471 (https://www.anzctr.org.au ).