Eating almonds improves blood glucose control and cholesterol in young people in the pre-diabetic stage

In the last 40 years, the number of diabetics worldwide has quadrupled and this increase is particularly steep in India. In fact, Indians have the highest annual increase in pre-diabetes (approximately 14-18%) type 2 diabetes, which calls for lifestyle interventions to help reverse this trend.

When it comes to snack choices, almonds can be an easy and tasty food strategy. A new study has found that almond snacks help improve glucose metabolism among adolescents and young people with pre-diabetes.

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to determine the effect of almond consumption on blood glucose, lipids, insulin and metabolic dysfunction factors, and selective inflammatory markers among adolescents and young adults (aged 16–25 years) living in Mumbai with pre-diabetes. , India. This study was a randomized, parallel test of 275 participants (59 males, 216 females) with impaired glucose metabolism (prediabetes). At the beginning of the study, participants' weight, height and waist and hip circumference were measured and blood samples taken before meals. Participants were subjected to a glucose tolerance test and their lipid profiles were evaluated.

The almond group (n = 107) ate 56 grams (about 2 ounces per serving, or ~ 340 calories) of roasted almonds every day for three months and the control group (n = 112) ate the same number of tasty snacks. The consumption of almonds in the almond group was tested, while the control group ingested a tasty snack commonly consumed in India by this age group. Both almonds and savory snacks accounted for 20% of the participants' total caloric intake.

Throughout the study, participants were monitored to ensure that they were consistent in eating their snacks. At the end of the study, participants completed food intake assessments, and the same measurements and blood tests were repeated.

In the almond group, HbA1c (a measure of chronic blood sugar control, which also serves as a diagnostic criterion for diabetes and diabetes mellitus) was significantly lower compared to the control group.Further developing glucose levels in the beginning phases of diabetes can help forestall or postpone diabetes. What's more, almonds altogether diminished absolute cholesterol and "terrible" LDL-cholesterol contrasted with the benchmark group, while keeping up with "great" HDL-cholesterol levels.

No changes in activity Weight, height, waist or hip circumference Orbiochemical markers or control from beginning to post-intervention for almond group and macronutrient intake. Inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6) in the almond group decreased and increased in the control group, but this was not a statistically significant result. The pre-meal blood glucose level in the control group was significantly reduced compared with the subsequent intervention of the almond group. In the almond group, the FG: FI ratio (fasting glucose: fasting insulin) decreased when increased in the control group, but was not statistically significant.

Lifestyle changes, including additionally created sustenance and exercise, might conceivably keep the development from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes.The results of this study show that change does not have to be a big deal - simply adding almonds to your snack twice a day can make a difference. Study results showing how almonds are very promising Improved total and LDL-cholesterol levels and consumption reduced HbA1c levels by 12 weeks SNDT Women's University (Mumbai) Principal Researcher Dr. Jagmeet Madan B .HD, Professor and First Lady Sir Vitaldis Thackeray College of Home Science (Autonomous)

Limitations of the study are that participants cannot be blindfolded. Furthermore, nutrient intervention studies may induce behavioral changes in both groups because participants are aware of their risk during the recruitment process. Further research is needed to examine the effects of almond consumption on similar activities for different ages and different species.

This study is another study that explores the potential role of almond constipation in young people. Researchers at Merced University in California, in a study funded by the California Almond Board, have proven that breakfast almonds can be a great option for college students who skip breakfast. College freshmen (73 men and women aged 18 to 19) who skipped breakfast, including almonds or graham crackers - reduced total cholesterol and improved pre-meal blood sugar levels, but the benefits with almonds were many. Those who ate almonds were found to have better protection against "good" HDL-cholesterol levels and improved measures of blood sugar regulation in an 8-week study.

The results showed that those in the almond group had better performance of several glucocorticoid and cardiometabolic health indicators:

2% lower 2-hour glucose fraction under curvature (AUC)

34% lower insulin resistance index (IRI)

The Matsuda code is 82% higher during the oral glucose tolerance test, which represents the overall assessment of insulin sensitivity. This index almost doubled between almond snacks. 

 Better protection against HDL-cholesterol levels. Both groups found a reduction in HDL cholesterol, but a 5% reduction in the amount of almond snacks compared to a 24.5% reduction in Graham Grocker snacks.

Almond fiber (12.5 / 3.5 g per 100 g / 30 g serving) and 15 essential nutrients (100 g / 30 g per serving): Magnesium (270/81 mg), Potassium (733/220 mg) and Vitamin E ( 25.6 / 7.7 mg), making it a perfect nutritious snack for patients with weak glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes.

An overview of the study :

Study

• This study was a randomized, parallel test of 275 participants (59 males, 216 females) with impaired glucose metabolism (prediabetes). Study participants included fasting / induced blood glucose [fasting glucose (100–125 mg / dL), 2-hour post-glucose (140–199 mg / dL)] and / or insulin [fasting insulin (= 15). MIU / ml) / induced insulin (= 80mIU / ml)].
• At the beginning of the study, fasting blood samples were taken by measuring participants' weight, height and waist and hip circumference. Participants were subjected to a glucose tolerance test and their lipid profiles were evaluated.
• Hemoglobin, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, mean carboscular volume (MCV), average carboscular hemoglobin (MCH) and average carbuscular Whole blood was analyzed for total blood count, including hemoglobin concentration (MCHC).
• The almond group (n = 107) ate 56 g (approximately 2 servings, or ~ 340 calories) of almonds every day for 3 months and the control group (n = 112) ate a tasty snack with the same calories in India. Whole wheat flour, chickpea flour, salt and Indian spices are used to make flavored snacks in two different ways to prevent taste fatigue. During the 90-day study, participants were monitored to ensure compliance with almond or spicy snacks. .
• At the end of the study (3 months), participants completed food intake assessments, and the same measurements and blood tests were repeated.

Results

• HbA1c levels showed a statistically significant reduction in the almond group compared with the control group (Table 1).
• The fasting insulin ratio (FG: FI) in fasting blood glucose in the almond group was lower compared to the control group, but it was not statistically significant. The fasting blood glucose level was significantly reduced in control compared to the almond group.
• There was no significant difference in HOMA-IR at the end of the study compared with the basics in each group between the two groups.
• Other biomarks for glucose metabolism showed no significant difference between the almond and control groups at the end of the study compared with the onset of the intervention.
• There was a statistically significant reduction in total fat and LDL-cholesterol levels in the almond group compared to the control group. There was an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels, a decrease in triglyceride levels and a decrease in VLDL-C levels in the almond group compared to the control group, but it was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Almonds have been shown to have an impact on glucose metabolism by lowering HbA1c levels in adolescents and adolescents at risk of developing diabetes in just 12 weeks. When added as a snack, almonds help manage dyslipidemia by lowering total fat and "bad" LDL-cholesterol, while maintaining "good" HDL-cholesterol levels. Almonds can be a nutritious snack that can replace regular snack choices and be part of a diet-based strategy to help prevent or delay diabetes, especially in younger populations.