A randomized trial of the effects of an almond-enriched, hypocaloric diet in the treatment of obesity

Abstract

Background: Increased consumption of nuts has been advocated because of their health benefits, but the role of nuts in the treatment of obesity is unclear given their high energy density.Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a hypocaloric, almond-enriched diet (AED) compared with a hypocaloric nut-free diet (NFD) on body weight and cardiovascular disease risk factors in the context of an 18-mo behavioral weight-management program.Design: Overweight and obese individuals [n = 123; age = 46.8 y, BMI (in kg/m2) = 34.0] were randomly assigned to consume an AED or NFD and instructed in traditional behavioral methods of weight control. Anthropometric and metabolic measurements were made at baseline, 6 mo, and 18 mo.Results: Those in the AED group lost slightly but significantly less weight than did those in the NFD group at 6 mo (−5.5 compared with −7.4 kg; P = 0.04), but there were no differences at 18 mo. No significant differences in body composition were found between the groups at 6 or 18 mo. The AED, compared with the NFD, was associated with greater reductions in total cholesterol (P = 0.03), total:HDL cholesterol (P = 0.02), and triglycerides (P = 0.048) at 6 mo, and no differences were observed between the groups at 18 mo.Conclusions: The AED and NFD groups experienced clinically significant and comparable weight loss at 18 mo. Despite smaller weight loss in the AED group at 6 mo, the AED group experienced greater improvements in lipid profiles. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00194428.

Educational strategies for the prevention of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity

“…41 Healthy eating: the first step to living longer and better The risk regarding the acquisition of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension, especially in childhood, decreases considerably with a diversified and balanced diet rich in almonds, fruits, legumes, and vegetables, with an adequate intake of water, and avoiding the consumption of highly processed foods, carbonated beverages, and artificial juices. [48][49][50][51] However, the high cost of healthier foods has made the access more difficult by economically disadvantaged populations. 52 Meanwhile, the supply and demand for low-cost foods with lower nutritional value has increased, particularly in educational institutions for children and young people.…”

Regular intake of high-oleic peanuts improves fat oxidation and body composition in overweight/obese men pursuing a energy-restricted diet

“…Although the potential metabolic benefits of peanuts and other nuts have been recognized, few studies have include nuts in weight-loss regimens (17). In a recent meta-analyses, a mean body weight reduction of 2.61 kg (P > 0.05) was verified in energy-restricted nut-enriched diets (18).…”

The role of nuts consumption in the primary and secondary prevention of type 2 diabetes

“…A similar effect was achieved with pine nuts (the experiment carried out on obese rats), which, after being consumed for 12 weeks reduced the body weight by 17% alongside the white adipose tissue decrease by 18% (WAT, white adipose tissue), which is responsible for accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol esters, release of free fatty acids and having the endocrine role [47,48]. On the other hand, almonds consumed with a low-carbohydrate diet revealed the synergistic effect, affecting the increased loss of body weight (by approximately 3.6% higher in comparison with the control group within the period of 6 months), and they also caused the lipid profile betterment (decrease of TG, TC, LDL-C and VLDL-C) [49]. The importance of pistachios in the body weight reduction was in examined in the Hindu population, in which the higher tendency for abdominal obesity was stated [50].…”