Australia: A recent study suggests that including nuts in a weight-loss diet could be beneficial.
According to the study, those who incorporated almonds into a calorie-restricted diet lost approximately 9.3 percent of their body weight.
Additionally, they saw enhancements in heart and metabolic health indicators like blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipids.
The study depicts that, the impact of almonds on weight loss, 140 adults aged 24 to 65 with a body mass index (BMI) in the overweight or obese range were chosen. They were split into two groups: one had almonds as part of their diet, providing 15 percent of their daily calories, while the other group had calorie-equivalent carbohydrate-rich snacks.
Both groups followed a reduced-calorie diet for the first 12 weeks and then a weight-maintenance diet for the next 24 weeks. The participants were assessed at the start, 12 weeks, and 36 weeks for weight, body composition, waist circumference, energy expenditure, and cardiometabolic indicators like blood pressure and lipids.
Results showed both groups had similar weight loss and improved cardiometabolic health. However, the almond-enriched diet notably enhanced certain lipoprotein subfractions, especially small LDL-P, associated with higher cardiovascular risk due to artery-clogging plaques.
Many believe nuts are high in calories and fat, leading to their avoidance of diets. However, a recent study showed that people who incorporated almonds into their diet lost as much weight as those who didn’t.
Additionally, they saw improvements in heart and metabolic health indicators. Nutrition experts suggest that, despite being satiating and nutrient-rich, when consumed in a balanced diet, nuts like almonds can aid in weight management.