A scientific article, recently published in the European Journal of Nutrition, investigated the impact of almonds consumed as a snack on cardiovascular risk factors in a typical Korean diet. Eighty four overweight/obese participants were included in the study. They consumed either 56g of almonds or cookies (with the same caloric value) daily for 4 weeks. Results showed that almond consumption increased the intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and dietary fiber, and decreased % energy from carbohydrate. Caloric intake was increased by the almonds, but body weight, waist circumference and body composition were not modified. The study came to the conclusion that almonds (56g/day) enhanced plasma α-tocopherol status and serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in overweight and obese participants. Thus, including almonds as a snack may help improve nutritional status and may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease in overweight/obese adults.
Jung H, Chen CO, Blumberg JB, Kwak HK. (2017). The effect of almonds on vitamin E status and cardiovascular risk factors in Korean adults: a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Nutr.
Jung H, Chen CO, Blumberg JB, Kwak HK. (2017). The effect of almonds on vitamin E status and cardiovascular risk factors in Korean adults: a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Nutr.