Almonds vs complex carbohydrates in a weight reduction program.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of an almond-enriched low-calorie diet versus a complex carbohydrate-enriched diet on weight loss and metabolic parameters in overweight and obese adults.
Results Summary
The almond-enriched diet led to significantly greater reductions in weight/BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, and systolic blood pressure compared to the carbohydrate-enriched diet. Both diets improved metabolic markers, but the almond group showed more pronounced benefits in weight loss and certain metabolic parameters.
Population
Overweight and obese adults (age 27-79, BMI 27-55 kg/m²).
Effective Dosage
84 g/day of almonds.
Duration
24 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | weight/BMI | overweight and obese adults | -18% vs -11% | greater reductions | #1 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | waist circumference (WC) | overweight and obese adults | -14% vs -9% | greater reductions | #2 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | fat mass (FM) | overweight and obese adults | -30% vs -20% | greater reductions | #3 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | total body water | overweight and obese adults | -8% vs -1% | greater reductions | #4 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | systolic blood pressure | overweight and obese adults | -11% vs 0% | greater reductions | #5 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | weight/BMI | overweight and obese adults | 62% greater reduction | 62% greater reduction | #6 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | waist circumference (WC) | overweight and obese adults | 50% greater reduction | 50% greater reduction | #7 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | fat mass (FM) | overweight and obese adults | 56% greater reduction | 56% greater reduction | #8 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | increase | ketone levels | overweight and obese adults | +260% vs 0% | increased | #9 |
complex carbohydrate-enriched low-calorie diet (CHO-LCD) | increase | high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) | overweight and obese adults | +15% | increased | #10 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) | overweight and obese adults | -6% | decreased | #11 |
both dietary interventions | decrease | glucose | overweight and obese adults | - | decreased significantly to a similar extent | #12 |
both dietary interventions | decrease | insulin | overweight and obese adults | - | decreased significantly to a similar extent | #13 |
both dietary interventions | decrease | diastolic blood pressure | overweight and obese adults | - | decreased significantly to a similar extent | #14 |
both dietary interventions | decrease | total cholesterol | overweight and obese adults | - | decreased significantly to a similar extent | #15 |
both dietary interventions | decrease | triglycerides | overweight and obese adults | - | decreased significantly to a similar extent | #16 |
both dietary interventions | decrease | low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) | overweight and obese adults | - | decreased significantly to a similar extent | #17 |
both dietary interventions | decrease | LDL-C to HDL-C ratio | overweight and obese adults | - | decreased significantly to a similar extent | #18 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | Homeostasis model analysis of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) | overweight and obese adults | -66% | decreased | #19 |
complex carbohydrate-enriched low-calorie diet (CHO-LCD) | decrease | Homeostasis model analysis of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) | overweight and obese adults | -35% | decreased | #20 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | diabetes medication reductions | subjects with type 2 diabetes | 96% vs 50% | medication reductions were sustained or further reduced in a greater proportion | #21 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome | overweight and obese adults | - | improves a preponderance of the abnormalities | #22 |
both dietary interventions | decrease | body weight | overweight and obese adults | - | effective in decreasing | #23 |
almond-enriched low-calorie diet (almond-LCD) | decrease | body weight | overweight and obese adults | - | experienced a sustained and greater weight reduction | #24 |
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an almond-enriched (high monounsaturated fat, MUFA) or complex carbohydrate-enriched (high carbohydrate) formula-based low-calorie diet (LCD) on anthropometric, body composition and metabolic parameters in a weight reduction program. DESIGN: A randomized, prospective 24-week trial in a free-living population evaluating two distinct macronutrient interventions on obesity and metabolic syndrome-related parameters during weight reduction. SUBJECTS: In total, 65 overweight and obese adults (age: 27-79 y, body mass index (BMI): 27-55 kg/m(2)). INTERVENTION: A formula-based LCD enriched with 84 g/day of almonds (almond-LCD; 39% total fat, 25% MUFA and 32% carbohydrate as percent of dietary energy) or self-selected complex carbohydrates (CHO-LCD; 18% total fat, 5% MUFA and 53% carbohydrate as percent of dietary energy) featuring equivalent calories and protein. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Various anthropometric, body composition and metabolic parameters at baseline, during and after 24 weeks of dietary intervention. RESULTS: LCD supplementation with almonds, in contrast to complex carbohydrates, was associated with greater reductions in weight/BMI (-18 vs -11%), waist circumference (WC) (-14 vs -9%), fat mass (FM) (-30 vs -20%), total body water (-8 vs -1%) and systolic blood pressure (-11 vs 0%), P=0.0001-0.05. A 62% greater reduction in weight/BMI, 50% greater reduction in WC and 56% greater reduction in FM were observed in the almond-LCD as compared to the CHO-LCD intervention. Ketone levels increased only in the almond-LCD group (+260 vs 0%, P<0.02). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased in the CHO-LCD group and decreased in the almond-LCD group (+15 vs -6%, P=0.05). Glucose, insulin, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and LDL-C to HDL-C ratio decreased significantly to a similar extent in both dietary interventions. Homeostasis model analysis of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) decreased in both study groups over time (almond-LCD: -66% and CHO-LCD: -35%, P<0.0001). Among subjects with type 2 diabetes, diabetes medication reductions were sustained or further reduced in a greater proportion of almond-LCD as compared to CHO-LCD subjects (96 vs 50%, respectively) [correction]. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that an almond-enriched LCD improves a preponderance of the abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome. Both dietary interventions were effective in decreasing body weight beyond the weight loss observed during long-term pharmacological interventions; however, the almond-LCD group experienced a sustained and greater weight reduction for the duration of the 24-week intervention. Almond supplementation of a formula-based LCD is a novel alternative to self-selected complex carbohydrates and has a potential role in reducing the public health implications of obesity.