Archive

Research Nut: Almonds

Daily almond supplementation improves blood pressure and lipid profile in pregnant women with hypertension and dyslipidemia: a randomized controlled trial.

Arslan, J., Z. Najam, H. Abdullah, H.S. Siddiqi, R. Bano, A. Gilani, H. Jamshed, 2026. Daily almond supplementation improves blood pressure and lipid profile in pregnant women with hypertension and dyslipidemia: a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Nutrition. 156(2),101270 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.101270

Background: Hypertension and dyslipidemia during pregnancy increase risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Although almond supplementation is recognized for its cardioprotective effects in nonpregnant populations, its role during pregnancy remains underexplored despite its potential as a safe and accessible dietary intervention. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of almond supplementation at 2 doses (10 g/d and 25 g/d) on blood pressure, lipid profile, and heart rate in pregnant women with hypertension and dyslipidemia. Methods: This single-center, 12-wk randomized controlled trial enrolled 103 pregnant women (≥20 wk of gestation) with confirmed hypertension and/or dyslipidemia from Aga Khan Maternity Hospital, Karachi, with 46 participants meeting criteria for both conditions included in the primary analysis. Participants were randomly assigned into 3 groups: no-intervention (NI, control), 10 g/d almonds (A10), or 25 g/d almonds (A25). Primary outcomes were changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, measured every 4 wk. Secondary outcomes included serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL, HDL, and heart rate, assessed at baseline and week 12. Data were analyzed using 1-way and 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance with post hoc testing (P ≤ 0.05 considered significant). Results: At week 12, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in both A10 (−13.7% and −5.8%) and A25 (−18.3% and −7.9%) compared with NI (−7.4% and −1.6%; P < 0.001). TC, TG, and LDL levels improved dose-dependently, with the A25 group showing the greatest reductions in TC (−22.5%), TG (−33.8%), and LDL (−27.3%) (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in HDL levels or heart rate across groups. Conclusions: Almond supplementation for 12 wk significantly improved blood pressure and lipid profile in pregnant women with hypertension and dyslipidemia, especially at the 25 g/d dose. These findings suggest that almonds may serve as an adjunct dietary strategy to manage cardiometabolic risk in pregnancy. Future trials with larger samples and longer durations are warranted to evaluate sustained benefits and long-term outcomes.

Almond consumption improves inflammatory profiles independent of weight change: a 6-week randomized controlled trial in adults with obesity.

Adepoju, A., E. Rabbani, P. Brickey, V. Vieira-Potter, J. Dhillon, 2026. Almond consumption improves inflammatory profiles independent of weight change: a 6-week randomized controlled trial in adults with obesity. Nutrients. 18(5):875. doi: 10.3390/nu18050875.

Background: Obesity is characterized by chronic low-grade systemic inflammation that contributes to metabolic dysfunction. Diet is a modifiable factor that can help reduce this inflammation. Nuts such as almonds are rich in unsaturated fats, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory micronutrients, which may work synergistically to attenuate obesity-related inflammation. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate whether daily almond consumption improves systemic inflammatory and immune markers in adults with obesity. Methods: In this randomized controlled parallel-arm trial, 69 adults (age 30-45 years) with obesity (BMI 30-45 kg/m2) were assigned to consume either 57 g/day of almonds (n = 38) or an isocaloric snack (cookie; n = 31) for six weeks. Fasting serum inflammatory cytokines, innate immune cell counts, body weight, serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile, and alpha-tocopherol were measured at baseline and week six. Dietary intake, compliance, palatability, acceptance, and appetite ratings were also assessed. Primary outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed models and baseline-adjusted linear models. Results: Subjective compliance was high in both groups, with greater acceptance of almonds (p < 0.05); however, serum alpha-tocopherol did not change. Almond consumption significantly decreased serum IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ over 6 weeks compared with the cookie group (p < 0.05). No significant group differences were observed for innate immune cell counts, body weight, appetite ratings, blood pressure, or serum fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (C), LDL-C, and triglycerides over six weeks. The almond group also increased intakes of monounsaturated fat, fiber, alpha-tocopherol, magnesium, zinc, and manganese, and improved diet quality indices relative to the cookie group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Daily almond consumption for six weeks improved inflammatory cytokine profiles in adults with obesity, without changes in body weight under free-living conditions. These findings support recommending almonds as part of healthy dietary patterns to help attenuate obesity-related inflammation.

Effects of 24-week almond supplementation on executive function and processing speed in middle-aged Asian Indians with prediabetes: an open-label randomized controlled trial.

Gulati, S., A. Misra, R. Tiwari, R.M. Pandey, M. Sharma, 2026. Effects of 24-week almond supplementation on executive function and processing speed in middle-aged Asian Indians with prediabetes: an open-label randomized controlled trial. J Nutr. 156(5):101484. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101484.

Background: Prediabetes is potentially recognized as a stage of heightened risk not only for diabetes but also for early cognitive decline, driven by insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and low-grade inflammation. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily almond supplementation on cognitive performance and biochemical markers in middle-aged Asian Indians with prediabetes, who are at high risk for metabolic and cognitive decline. Methods: This 24-wk, open-label, parallel-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care center in New Delhi. A total of 60 adults aged 40-60 y with prediabetes were randomly assigned to an almond group (n = 29; almonds providing 20% of daily energy with diet and exercise) or a control group (n = 31; isocaloric diet and exercise without almonds). Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and 24 wk using the Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery (CANTAB), covering executive function, memory, attention, processing speed, and working memory. Anthropometry, glycemia, plasma α-tocopherol, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were also measured. Results: At 24 wk, the almond group showed significant improvements in executive function [One Touch Stockings of Cambridge; β = -2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): -4.4, -0.6, P = 0.01] and in processing speed (reaction time; β = 73.8, 95% CI: 25.7, 122.0, P = 0.003; β = 39.3, 95% CI: 9.4, 69.1, P = 0.011) compared with controls. There were also significant reductions in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting and postprandial glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and TBARS, along with increased plasma α-tocopherol (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Six months of almond supplementation improved executive function, processing speed, and overall cognition, reduced oxidative stress (TBARS), and improved plasma α-tocopherol and glycemia in Asian Indians with prediabetes. These findings suggest that almonds provide dual cognitive and metabolic benefits in this high-risk population. However, the moderate sample size and 24-wk duration warrant confirmation in larger and longer-term trials.

Nut consumption and sperm quality in healthy men: results from the Led-Fertyl Study.

Dávila-Córdova, E., N. Babio, C. Valle-Hita, M. Fernández la Puente, A. Beltran-Arasa, M. Cebrián-Puig, V. Fambuena-Perez, I. García-Serrano, M.M. Murphy, J. Salas-Salvadó, A. Salas-Huetos, 2026. Nut consumption and sperm quality in healthy men: results from the Led-Fertyl Study. Andrology. e70204. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.70204

Background: Nuts are rich in antioxidants and other bioactive compounds, and recent evidence suggests that their regular consumption may be associated with sperm quality. However, the current scientific evidence remains limited and inconsistent. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the association between nut consumption and sperm quality parameters in healthy men of reproductive age. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the data from 222 young men enrolled in the Led-Fertyl study. Nut consumption was categorized as < 3, ≥ 3 to < 7, and ≥ 7 servings/week (1 serving = 30 g). The main outcomes were sperm quality parameters (sperm count, concentration, vitality, motility, and normal morphology). Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were fitted to analyze associations. Results: Total sperm count (β = 3.38; 95%CI: 1.59, 5.16) and concentration (β = 1.17; 95%CI: 0.15, 2.19) were higher among participants in the highest category of nut consumption (≥7 servings/week) compared to those in the lowest (< 3 servings/week). A similar association was observed when modeling nut consumption as continuous; each additional serving per day was associated with higher total sperm count and concentration (β = 2.38; 95%CI: 1.03, 3.72 and β = 0.83; 95%CI: 0.06, 1.59, respectively). A theoretical substitution of 1 serving/day of nuts with 1 serving/day of potato chips or pastries was associated with lower total sperm count and concentration. Furthermore, compared to participants in the lowest category of nut consumption, those in the highest were 75% less likely to have abnormal sperm motility (OR: 0.25; 95%CI: 0.07, 0.95) and 69% less likely to have seminogram abnormalities (OR: 0.31; 95%CI: 0.14, 0.68). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that regular nut consumption is associated with higher total sperm count and concentration in young, healthy men of reproductive age.