The Effects of Long Term Almond Consumption in Adults with Different Body Fat Distributions on Anthropometric Characteristics and HbA1c

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine if the mixed evidence of almond consumption on long term glycemic control stems from testing people with different body fat distributions. Methods A 6-month randomized controlled trial in 118 adults was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to the almond or control group based on their body fat distribution. Those in the almond group consumed 0.75 oz of almonds with their breakfast and as their afternoon snack (1.5 oz almonds/day) every day, and were instructed not to consume any other nuts or nut products. Those in the control group continued their habitual breakfast and afternoon snack routines, but were instructed not to consume any nuts or nut products. Anthropometric characteristics, HbA1c, and glycemic and lipemic responses to a meal tolerance test were collected at baseline and 6 months. Appetite and dietary intake data were collected at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 months as was a blood sample for compliance testing. Body weight was measured every two weeks. A preliminary linear mixed model analysis on the anthropometric characteristics and HbA1c change values and pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction for significant main effects was performed. Results Preliminary results indicate that there was a trend towards a difference in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass with the almond group losing more VAT mass compared to the control group in those with high truncal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) (P = 0.054). Additionally, there was a significant difference in change of VAT mass between the high SAT and high VAT (P = 0.02) and high gluteal-femoral adipose tissue (P = 0.41) control groups. There were no significant differences in any other anthropometric variables or HbA1c. Conclusions Preliminary results indicate that while almond consumption may decrease VAT mass in those with high SAT, testing people with different body fat distributions may not be why there is mixed evidence on almond consumption on long term glycemic control. Funding Sources This research is funded by the Almond Board of California.