Effects of almond consumption on metabolic function and liver fat in overweight and obese adults with elevated fasting blood glucose: A randomised controlled trial

Summary Background Almonds are a rich source of bioactive components. This study examined the effects of daily almond consumption on glycaemic regulation, liver fat concentration and function, adiposity, systemic inflammation and cardiometabolic health. Methods 76 adults with elevated risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) or T2D (age: 60.7 ± 7.7 years, body mass index: 33.8 ± 5.6 kg/m 2 ) were randomly assigned to daily consumption of either 2 servings of almonds (AS:56 g/day) or an isocaloric, higher carbohydrate biscuit snack (BS) for 8 weeks. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), glycaemic variability (GV), liver fat, serum aminotransferases, body weight and composition, markers of cardio-metabolic risk and systemic inflammation were assessed at baseline and week 8. Results No group differential effects were observed on HbA1c, GV, body weight and composition, liver fat and aminotransferases, cardio-metabolic health and inflammatory markers (all P  > 0.05). For serum TC/HDL-C ratio a significant gender × treatment × time interaction occurred ( P P  = 0.05), but not in men ( P  = 0.52). Conclusions Compared to BS, AS consumed between meals did not substantially alter glycaemic regulation, liver fat or function, adiposity, and metabolic health and inflammatory markers. Serum TC/HDL-C ratio improved in women, but not in men with AS; but as this sub-analysis was not defined a priori the results should be interpreted with caution. Further research should examine the longer-term health effects of regular almond consumption and differential gender responses. Clinical trial registry number and website Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12616000571471 ( https://www.anzctr.org.au ).