A new study has found that eating a handful of almonds every day may help improve the health of people suffering from metabolic syndrome.
The research, conducted by scientists at Oregon State University in the United States, showed that daily almond consumption led to signs of better heart and gut health.
Metabolic syndrome is a group of health conditions that often occur together. These include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, low levels of good cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides.
A person is said to have metabolic syndrome if they have at least three of these conditions. The syndrome increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and has also been linked with cognitive decline and dementia.
It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of the adult population in the US is affected by this condition.
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To explore the potential benefits of almonds, researchers carried out a 12-week clinical trial with participants aged between 35 and 60 who had metabolic syndrome.
The participants were divided into two groups. One group ate 320 calories worth of almonds every day, which is around 45 nuts.
The other group consumed an equal number of calories through crackers that lacked the healthy fats, proteins, and nutrients found in almonds.
At the end of four weeks and again at 12 weeks, blood tests from the almond group showed an increase in vitamin E, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound naturally present in almonds.
The researchers also found improvements in several other health indicators, such as lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL or “bad” cholesterol, as well as a reduction in waist circumference.
The study also observed that people who ate almonds had signs of reduced inflammation in the gut, which is another positive sign for overall health. Almonds are rich in nutrients like vitamin E, fibre, healthy fats, magnesium, and other essential micronutrients that may support heart and digestive health.
The findings, published in the journal Nutrition Research, suggest that simple dietary changes, like including almonds in daily snacks, may support better health for people living with metabolic syndrome.
