Almonds Improve Insulin Sensitivity, Cholesterol in Diabetics

NEWARK, N.J. An American Diabetes Association (ADA) diet with 20 percent of its calories from almonds over a 16-week period effectively improved markers of insulin sensitivity and yielded clinically significant improvements in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults with prediabetes, according to researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.(J Am Colle Nutr. 2010;29(3):189-197). The randomized parallel-group trial was conducted on 65 adult participants with prediabetes, including 16 weeks of dietary modification featuring an ADA diet containing 20 percent of energy from almonds (approximately 2 oz/d).

The almond-enriched intervention group exhibited greater reductions in insulin, homeostasis model analysis for insulin resistance, and homeostasis model analysis for beta-cell function compared with the nut-free control group. Clinically significant declines in LDL were found in the almond-enriched intervention group as compared with the nut-free control group. No changes were observed in body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure or for the other measured cardiovascular risk factors.