Two new research studies showed that a simple addition of almonds to the diet may help reduce the
burden of diabetes. More specifically, a handful of almonds eaten 30 minutes before breakfast,
lunch and dinner for three months reversed prediabetes to normal blood sugar levels in nearly one-
quarter of the people studied – improvements as potent as taking prescription diabetes medication. 1
, 2 Diabetes researchers described this reversal from prediabetes to normal blood glucose regulation
as “the holy grail of medicine.”
As you’re probably aware, prediabetes is an ever-growing concern globally. Nearly 70% of people
with prediabetes will develop diabetes in their lifetimes. This means, targeted nutrition strategies
have never been more essential.
These two new studies containing almonds—one longer term lasting three months and the other
shorter term lasting three days—offer what could be a groundbreaking treatment. In both studies,
that treatment was about a handful of almonds (20 g/0.7 oz) 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch and
dinner. Control participants avoided all nuts.
In the shorter-term study, researchers found that indicators for hyperglycemia (blood glucose,
serum insulin, C-peptide and oral glucose tolerance test results) were lower for the almond group
versus the control group, most notably an 18% decrease in hyperglycemia levels after the meal,
indicating improved regulation of glycemic responses among the almond consumers.
In the longer-term study, participants consuming almonds had statistically significant reductions in
body weight, body mass index and waist circumference. Similarly, reductions were seen for fasting
glucose, postprandial insulin, hemoglobin A1c and other cardiometabolic measures.
The press release below provides much more information for easy reference.
