CORVALLIS, OR – Imagine a simple, tasty addition to your daily diet that could dramatically improve your health if you’re among the millions battling metabolic syndrome. New research from Oregon State University suggests that a regular serving of almonds – about 45 nuts, or two ounces – could be a powerful tool for better heart, metabolic, and even gut health.
Metabolic syndrome is a silent threat affecting nearly 40 percent of U.S. adults. It’s a cluster of concerning risk factors: a bulging waistline, elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, low levels of “good” cholesterol, and high triglycerides. Together, these factors significantly escalate the risk of serious conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline, and dementia.
“Evidence suggests that people with metabolic syndrome are three times as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke and twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease compared to people without this condition,” explains Emily Ho, director of OSU’s Linus Pauling Institute. She points to poor diet and inactivity as major culprits, with gut health and chronic inflammation also playing significant roles.
To investigate the potential of almonds, researchers conducted a 12-week clinical trial. They recruited individuals aged 35 to 60 with metabolic syndrome and divided them into two groups. One group incorporated 320 calories worth of almonds into their daily diet, while the control group consumed an equivalent caloric amount of crackers – a snack that lacked the rich nutrient profile of almonds.
Beyond vitamin E, almonds are nutritional powerhouses, packed with heart-healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, fiber, polyphenols, biotin, copper, potassium, and magnesium.
The study also observed other significant health improvements in the almond group. Participants experienced reductions in total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and waist circumference. Furthermore, the daily almond snack appeared to help mitigate gut inflammation, pointing towards a holistic benefit for overall well-being. (IANS)