When it comes to weight loss, nuts can get a bad rap – while they’re high in protein, they’re also high in fats, and this often deters those looking to shed a few kilos. However, a latest study discovered that incorporating almonds into a low diet not only helped participants lose weight but also improved their cardio metabolic health.
In a recent study, however, researchers from the University of South Australia found that including almonds in an energy-restricted diet not only helps in weight loss but also improves cardiometabolic health.
ALMONDS; NUTRITIONAL POWER
At the end of the trial, participants in both diets lost an average of around 7 kilograms. “Nuts, like almonds, are a great snack. They’re high in protein and fibber, and packed with vitamins and minerals, but they also have a high-fat content which people can associate with increased body weight,” Dr. Sharayah Carter, a lead author of the study, said. UniSA researcher Dr. Sharayah Carter says the study demonstrates how nuts can support a healthy diet for weight management and cardiometabolic health.
“Nuts, like almonds, are a great snack. They’re high in protein, fibber, and packed with vitamins and minerals, but they also have a high-fat content which people can associate with increased body weight,” Dr. Carter says.
ALMONDS; IMPACT ON CARDIOMETABOLIC HEALTH
“Nuts contain unsaturated fats – or healthy fats – which can improve blood cholesterol levels, ease inflammation, and contribute to a healthy heart.
“In this study, we examined the effects of an almond-supplemented diet with a nut-free diet to identify any influence on weight and cardiometabolic outcomes,” Dr. Carter says.
“Both the nut and nut-free diets resulted in approximately 9.3% reduction in body weight over the trial.
“Yet the almond-supplemented diets also demonstrated statistically significant changes in some highly atherogenic lipoprotein subfractions, which may lead to improved cardiometabolic health in the longer term.
“Additionally, nuts have the added benefit of making you feel fuller for longer, which is always a pro when you’re trying to manage your weight.”
