The effect of almonds on plasma lipids in persons with prediabetes

Abstract

Background: Persons with prediabetes are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, yet there is scant research on effective meal planning approaches in this population.Aim and Methods: To evaluate the effect of daily almond consumption on blood lipids of adults with prediabetes, we performed a 16‐week trial in 66 free‐living adults (48 women and 18 men; mean±SE age 53±10 years; BMI 30±5 kg/m2) instructed to consume a background meal pattern yielding 35% fat, 50% CHO and 15% protein. Participants were randomized to consume 20% of energy from almonds (almond‐enriched) or a meal pattern without nuts (nut‐free). Fasting total cholesterol (TC), LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C), HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) and triglycerides (TG) were measured at baseline and weeks 8 and 16. Mixed model analysis was performed adjusting for baseline values with all time points included in the model.Results: Daily supplementation with almonds was associated with a greater reduction in LDL‐C [−9% vs. −1% (P=0.03)] and LDL‐C:HDL‐C [−13% vs. −1% (P=0.04) over the 16‐week trial. Almond participants had a significant reduction in LDL‐C [−10% (P = 0.01)] and a significant increase in HDL‐C [+5% (P=0.04)] at week 16 compared to baseline levels, resulting in a significant reduction in LDL‐C:HDL‐C (P=0.001).Conclusion: Daily almond consumption within a defined meal pattern is effective in improving blood lipids in adults with prediabetes.