Can a Daily Handful of Almonds Combat Metabolic Syndrome?

New Delhi, June 11 (NationPress) Are you dealing with metabolic syndrome? Incorporating a handful of almonds into your daily routine could potentially enhance your health, as revealed by recent research.

Individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome typically exhibit at least three conditions, including abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, low levels of 'good' cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides.

A study conducted by scientists at Oregon State University (OSU) in the US indicated that consuming 2 ounces of almonds—approximately 45 nuts—each day led to improvements in cardiometabolic and gut health.

This research, published in the journal Nutrition Research, is significant given that an estimated 40 percent of adults in the US are afflicted by metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that substantially elevate the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Moreover, metabolic syndrome has recently been associated with cognitive dysfunction and dementia.

According to Emily Ho, director of OSU’s Linus Pauling Institute, “Evidence suggests that individuals with metabolic syndrome are three times more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke and twice as likely to succumb to coronary heart disease compared to those without this condition.”

Ho further noted, “Poor diet and lack of physical activity contribute to the onset of metabolic syndrome, and factors like gut health and chronic inflammation may also play significant roles.”

For this study, researchers organized a 12-week clinical trial involving two groups of participants aged 35-60 diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

One group consumed 320 calories worth of almonds daily, while the other group ate crackers with the same caloric value, but lacking the healthful fats, proteins, and micronutrients found in almonds.

After four weeks and again at the 12-week mark, blood samples from the almond-consuming group showed a significant rise in vitamin E, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound abundant in almonds.

Beyond vitamin E, almonds are rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, fiber, polyphenols, biotin, copper, potassium, and magnesium.

The researchers also observed notable changes in other crucial health biomarkers among almond consumers, including reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (often dubbed 'bad' cholesterol), and waist circumference.

Moreover, almond consumption seemed to mitigate gut inflammation, a key indicator of gut health.