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Effects of almond on cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

  • 2022-04-20
  • Phytotherapy research : PTR 36(5)
    • Seyedeh Parisa Moosavian
    • Mehran Rahimlou
    • Mahnaz Rezaei Kelishadi
    • Sajjad Moradi
    • Cyrus Jalili

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Population
patients with type 2 diabetes
Methods
systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs, search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar up to March 2021, no language/time limitation, random effects model
An enhanced risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) still exists even when T2DM patients have tight control on blood sugar. Thus, identification of treatment approaches that address CVD risk factors may be useful for patients beyond the blood sugar management. Although emerging evidence suggests that nuts consumption have beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health, the effects of almond intake in patients with type 2 diabetes are still controversial. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the effect of almond on cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with T2DM through a systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar to identify relevant RCTs up to March 2021. There was no language and time limitation. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was pooled using a random effects model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were reported using standard methods. Nine RCTs were included in the final analysis. Almond intake resulted in significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: -5.28 mg/dL; 95% CI, -9.92, -0.64; p = .026) compared with the control group. This lowering effect of LDL-C was robust in subgroups with almond consumption >50 g/day, and baseline LDL-C level <130 mg/dL. However, the effect of almond on total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, weight, body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and CRP was not significant compared with the control group. In summary, the current meta-analysis indicated that almond consumption decreased LDL-C, and had no favorable effect on other cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with T2DM. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the almond.

Research Insights

  • Almond→Improved Fasting Plasma Glucose

    the effect of almond on ... fasting plasma glucose ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Improved Insulin Levels

    the effect of almond on ... insulin ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Increased HDL Cholesterol Levels

    the effect of almond on ... high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Reduced Blood Cholesterol

    the effect of almond on total cholesterol ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Reduced Body Fat

    the effect of almond on ... body fat ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Reduced Body Mass Index

    the effect of almond on ... body mass index ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Reduced Body Weight

    the effect of almond on ... weight ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

    the effect of almond on ... CRP was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Reduced Diastolic Blood Pressure

    the effect of almond on ... diastolic ... blood pressure ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Reduced Hemoglobin A1c

    the effect of almond on ... hemoglobin A1c ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level

    Almond intake resulted in significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: -5.28 mg/dL; 95% CI, -9.92, -0.64; p = .026) compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    >50 g/day (subgroup analysis) and unspecified doses in main analysis
  • Almond→Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure

    the effect of almond on ... systolic ... blood pressure ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Almond→Reduced Triglyceride Levels

    the effect of almond on ... triglycerides ... was not significant compared with the control group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
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