Almond "Appetizer" Effect on Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) Results

Abstract

Background:The extent to which glucose intolerance can be acutely improved with dietary modification is unclear. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of ingesting a low-calorie almond preload ("appetizer") 30 minutes before oral glucose tolerance testing in glucose-intolerant individuals without diabetes.Methods: Twenty adults with prediabetes or isolated 1-hour glucose >160 mg/dL underwent 2 fasting oral glucose tolerance tests (GTTs)-1 standard GTT and 1 GTT 30 minutes after eating a half ounce (12) of dry-roasted almonds. Fourteen participants met 1 or more prediabetes diagnostic criteria; 6 had only elevated 1-hour glucose >160 mg/dL.Results: The mean 1-hour plasma glucose after the almond preload was 37.1 mg/dL (19.4%) lower (154.6 vs 191.7; P < .001) than in the standard GTT. The almond preload reduced the area under the glucose curve by 15.5% (P < .001). Eight individuals had a marked hypoglycemic effect (glucose reduced by 45 to 110 mg/dL); 4 had a moderate hypoglycemic effect (22-32 mg/dL). Conclusion

Benefits of Nut Consumption on Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Multiple Potential Mechanisms of Actions

“…In summary, given the results from the meta-analysis of 12 RCTs [ 20 ] and chronic studies [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ] that were not included in the meta-analysis [ 20 ], nut consumption benefits glycemic control regardless of the type of nut but the effect is small and the amount of nuts required is large. Moreover, nut consumption reduces postprandial glycemia responses as shown in all nine studies [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

“…Peanut consumption significantly reduced the 60-min postprandial glucose response to high-glycemic load meals in healthy subjects [ 29 , 30 ]. Five acute meal studies with a crossover design examined the effect of almond intake on postprandial glycemia and insulinemia [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 38 ]. Almonds (28 g) with a test meal (bagel, juice, and butter) significantly lowered postprandial glycemia in seven subjects with T2DM by 30% ( p = 0.04), but not in 13 healthy subjects without T2DM, with no differences in insulinemia and the incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) [ 38 ].…”

Nuts and Dried Fruits: An Update of Their Beneficial Effects on Type 2 Diabetes

“…Table 5 summarizes various acute clinical studies of nut consumption, most of which focus on almonds [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ]. In a randomized crossover trial in healthy subjects, almond intake decreased postprandial glycaemia and insulinaemia [ 69 ].…”

“…In impaired glucose-tolerant subjects, it was observed that the consumption of almonds with a meal also decreased blood glucose in plasma [ 71 ]. In a recent crossover study performed in pre-diabetic subjects, a preload of almonds decreased postprandial glycaemia [ 73 ]. In healthy and diabetic individuals, Cohen et al also showed a 30% reduction in postprandial glycaemia after almond consumption compared with a starchy meal [ 72 ].…”

Bread and Butter of Family Medicine: Guidelines, Population Screening, Diagnostic Evaluations, and Practice Models

“…A fascinating study by Crouch et al 15 demonstrates that giving patients with prediabetes an almond "appetizer" before a glucose tolerance test has a significant effect on the glucose tolerance test results. The idea of "priming the pancreatic pump" could lead to some promising lifestyle interventions for patients with prediabetes, and maybe even diabetics.…”