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Research Nut: Almonds

Almond supplementation on appetite measures, body weight, and body composition in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 37 randomized controlled trials.

Chahibakhsh, N., N. Rafieipour, H. Rahimi, S. RajabiNezhad, S.A. Momeni, A. Motamedi, J. Malekzadeh, M.S. Islam, M. Mohammadi-Sartang, 2024. Almond supplementation on appetite measures, body weight, and body composition in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 37 randomized controlled trials. Obes Rev. 25(5):e13711. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13711

Background and objective: Almond consumption has an inverse relationship with obesity and factors related to metabolic syndrome. However, the results of available clinical trials are inconsistent. Therefore, we analyzed the results of 37 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and evaluated the association of almond consumption with subjective appetite scores and body compositions. Methods: Net changes in bodyweight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), body fat percent, fat-free mass (FFM), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subjective appetite scores were used to calculate the effect size, which was reported as a weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: This meta-analysis was performed on 37 RCTs with 43 treatment arms. The certainty in the evidence was very low for appetite indices, body fat percent, FFM, VAT, and WHR, and moderate for other parameters as assessed by the GRADE evidence profiles. Pooled effect sizes indicated a significant reducing effect of almond consumption on body weight (WMD: -0.45 kg, 95% CI: -0.85, -0.05, p = 0.026), WC (WMD: -0.66 cm, 95% CI: -1.27, -0.04, p = 0.037), FM (WMD: -0.66 kg, 95% CI: -1.16, -0.17, p = 0.009), and hunger score (WMD: -1.15 mm, 95% CI: -1.98, -0.32, p = 0.006) compared with the control group. However, almond did not have a significant effect on BMI (WMD: -0.20 kg m-2, 95% CI: -0.46, 0.05, p = 0.122), body fat percent (WMD: -0.39%, 95% CI: -0.93, 0.14, p = 0.154), FFM (WMD: -0.06, 95% CI: -0.47, 0.34, p = 0.748), WHR (WMD: -0.04, 95% CI: -0.12, 0.02, p = 0.203), VAT (WMD: -0.33 cm, 95% CI: -0.99, 0.32), fullness (WMD: 0.46 mm, 95% CI: -0.95, 1.88), desire to eat (WMD: 0.98 mm, 95% CI: -4.13, 2.23), and prospective food consumption (WMD: 1.08 mm, 95% CI: -2.11, 4.28). Subgroup analyses indicated that consumption of ≥50 g almonds per day resulted in a significant and more favorable improvement in bodyweight, WC, FM, and hunger score. Body weight, WC, FM, body fat percent, and hunger scores were decreased significantly in the trials that lasted for ≥12 weeks and in the subjects with a BMI < 30 kg/m2. Furthermore, a significant reduction in body weight and WC was observed in those trials that used a nut-free diet as a control group, but not in those using snacks and other nuts. The results of our analysis suggest that almond consumption may significantly improve body composition indices and hunger scores when consumed at a dose of ≥50 g/day for ≥12 weeks by individuals with a BMI < 30 kg/m2. Conclusion: However, further well-constructed randomized clinical trials are needed in order ascertain the outcome of our analysis.

Current options in the management of tree nut allergy: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Pasioti, M., P. Xepapadaki, A.G. Mathioudakis, J. Lakoumentas, E. Efstathiou, N.G. Papadopoulos, 2024. Current options in the management of tree nut allergy: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 35(5):e14132. doi: 10.1111/pai.14132.

Tree nut allergy is a lifelong and potentially life-threatening condition. The standard of care is strictly avoiding the culprit nut and treating accidental reactions symptomatically. To evaluate potential therapeutic options for desensitizing patients with IgE-mediated tree nut allergy, we systematically searched three bibliographic databases for studies published until January 2024. We looked for active treatments of IgE-mediated allergy to tree nuts (walnut, hazelnut, pistachio, cashew, almond, pecan, macadamia nut, and brazil nut). We focused on allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) using oral (OIT), sublingual (SLIT), epicutaneous (EPIT), or subcutaneous (SCIT) delivery, or other disease-modifying treatments. We found 19 studies that met our criteria: 3 studies investigated sublingual immunotherapy, 5 studied oral immunotherapy to a single tree nut, and 6 used multi-food oral immunotherapy with or without omalizumab. The remaining studies investigated the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies or IgE-immunoadsorption in multi-food allergic patients, including patients with tree nut allergy. The heterogeneity of the studies prevented pooling and meta-analysis. Oral immunotherapy, single or multi-nut, with or without omalizumab, was the most studied approach and appears effective in conferring protection from accidental exposures. Omalizumab monotherapy is the only approved alternative management for reducing allergic reactions that may occur with accidental exposure.

Perspective: current scientific evidence and research strategies in the role of almonds in cardiometabolic health.

Trumbo, P.R., J. Ard, F. Bellisle, A. Drewnowski, J.A. Gilbert, R. Kleinman, A. Misra, J. Sievenpiper, M. Tahiri, K.E. Watson, J. Hill, 2024. Perspective: current scientific evidence and research strategies in the role of almonds in cardiometabolic health. Curr Dev Nutr. 9(1):104516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104516.

 Almonds are consumed by individuals around the world. Because almonds are rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, and fiber, a significant amount of research has been conducted on their role in affecting various cardiometabolic endpoints (body weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels, and glycemic response). The most current meta-analyses on almond consumption and various health-related endpoints suggest that almond consumption does not result in weight gain and results in small reductions in LDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure, as well as improved glycemic responses in certain populations (i.e. Asian Indians). A number of research gaps on almond consumption and cardiometabolic health were identified that should be addressed to further understand their role in the various cardiometabolic endpoints, including the mechanisms of action interactions with the microbiome with regular consumption and their role as part of a healthy dietary pattern for both individuals and the general population.

Almond consumption modestly improves pain ratings, muscle force production, and biochemical markers of muscle damage following downhill running in mildly overweight, middle-aged adults: A randomized, crossover trial.

Rayo, V.U., M. Cervantes, M.Y. Hong, S. Hooshmand, N. Jason, C. Liu, E. North, L. Okamoto, S. Storm, O.C. Witard, M. Kern, 2024. Almond consumption modestly improves pain ratings, muscle force production, and biochemical markers of muscle damage following downhill running in mildly overweight, middle-aged adults: A randomized, crossover trial. Curr Dev Nutr. 8(9):104432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104432

Background: Almonds promote cardiometabolic health benefits; however, the ergogenic effect of almond supplementation on exercise recovery is less explored. Objectives: We evaluated the impacts of raw, shelled, almonds on pain, muscle force production, and biochemical indices of muscle damage and inflammation during recovery from eccentrically biased exercise. Methods: Using a randomized, crossover design, 26 healthy adults (37±6 y) ran downhill (–10%) for 30 min at a heart rate corresponding to 65%–70% of maximal oxygen consumption followed by 3-d recovery periods after 8-wk adaptations to either ALMOND (2 oz/d) or isocaloric pretzel (CONTROL) feedings. Volunteers consumed the study food immediately following the run and each day during recovery. Fasted blood samples were collected, and pain and muscle function were tested before the downhill run and over 72 h of recovery. Results: Downhill running elicited moderate muscle damage (Time: P < 0.001; η2=0.395) with creatine kinase (CK) peaking after 24 h (CONTROL: Δ +180% from baseline compared with ALMOND: Δ + 171% from baseline). CK was reduced after 72 h in ALMOND (Δ– 50% from peak; P <0.05) but not CONTROL (Δ–33% from peak; P><0.05) not CONTROL (Δ– 33% from peak; P <0.05) but not CONTROL (Δ–33% from peak; P>>0.05). Maximal torque at 120/s of flexion was greater (Trial: P = 0.004; η2= 0.315) in ALMOND compared with CONTROL at 24 h (Δ + 12% between trials; P < 0.05) and 72 h (Δ + 9% between trials; P < 0.05) timepoints. Pain during maximal contraction was lower (Trial: P < 0.026; η2 = 0.225) in ALMOND compared with CONTROL after 24 h (Δ− 37% between trials; P < 0.05) and 48 h (Δ– 33% between trials; P < 0.05). No differences (P > 0.05) in vertical jump force, C-reactive protein concentrations, myoglobin concentrations, and total antioxidant capacity were observed between trials. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that 2.0 oz/d of almonds modestly reduces pain, better maintains muscle strength, and reduces the CK response to eccentric-based exercise. This apparent effect of almond ingestion on exercise recovery has the potential to promote increased exercise adherence, which should be investigated in future studies.