Almonds ameliorate glycemic control in Chinese patients with better controlled type 2 diabetes: a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether adding ~60g/d of almonds to a controlled diet (NCEP step II) would improve glucoregulation and cardiovascular disease risk factors in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Results Summary
Almonds did not significantly improve glycemic status or most CVD risk factors, except for reducing circulating nitric oxide. However, in patients with baseline HbA1c ≤8, almonds decreased fasting serum glucose by 5.9% and HbA1c by 3.0% compared to the control diet.
Population
33 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Effective Dosage
~60g/d of almonds.
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
~60 g/d almonds (ALM) added to NCEP step II diet | no change | glycemic status as the primary study outcome and other CVD risk factors | 33 Chinese T2DM patients | no significant change | neither ALM nor CON improved | #1 |
~60 g/d almonds (ALM) added to NCEP step II diet | decrease | circulating nitric oxide | 33 Chinese T2DM patients | - | decreased | #2 |
~60 g/d almonds (ALM) added to NCEP step II diet | decrease | post-interventional fasting serum glucose | 27 of 33 patients with the baseline HbA1c ≤8 | 5.9% | decreased | #3 |
~60 g/d almonds (ALM) added to NCEP step II diet | decrease | HbA1c | 27 of 33 patients with the baseline HbA1c ≤8 | 3.0% | decreased | #4 |
~60 g/d almonds (ALM) added to NCEP step II diet | no change | Mean total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations | 33 Chinese T2DM patients | no significant change | were not changed | #5 |
BACKGROUND: Almonds can decrease glycemic index of co-consumed foods and are a rich source for oleic acid and α-tocopherol. The aim of the randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial was to examine whether as compared to NCEP step II diet as control (CON), ~60 g/d almonds (ALM) added to CON would improve glucoregulation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 33 Chinese T2DM patients. METHODS: Forty T2DM patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive CON or ALM for 12 wks after a 2-wk. run-in period. Blood and urine samples were collected in the beginning and at the end of each dietary intervention phase for the assessment of biomarkers of glucoregulation, lipid profile, inflammation, and oxidative stress. RESULTS: While ALM had a better overall nutritional quality than CON, neither ALM nor CON improved the glycemic status as the primary study outcome and other CVD risk factors, except the circulating nitric oxide being decreased by ALM compared to CON. Among 27 of 33 patients with the baseline HbA1c ≤8, ALM decreased post-interventional fasting serum glucose and HbA1c by 5.9% and 3.0% as compared to that of CON, respectively (P = 0.01 and 0.04). Mean total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were not changed by both diets. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest almonds incorporated into healthful diets can improve glycemic status in diabetic patients with a better glycemic control. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01656850, registered 13 January 2012.