Almond "Appetizer" Effect on Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) Results

• Published in: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 759 - 766
• Main Authors: Crouch, Michael A, Slater, 3rd, Robert T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-11-2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Blood Glucose - analysis; Cross-Over Studies; Diet Therapy - methods; Fasting; Female; Glucose Intolerance - blood; Glucose Intolerance - diagnosis; Glucose Intolerance - therapy; Glucose Tolerance Test; Humans; Hyperglycemia - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Nuts; Prediabetic State - blood; Prediabetic State - diet therapy; Prunus dulcis; Self Care - methods; Young Adult; Eating; Glucose Tolerance Test; Hyperglycemia; Self-Care; Fasting; Area Under Curve; Prunus dulcis; Blood Glucose; Prediabetic State; Food Habits; Energy Intake; Glucose Intolerance
• ISSN: 1557-2625; 1558-7118
• DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2016.06.160128

The extent to which glucose intolerance can be acutely improved with dietary modification is unclear. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of ingesting a low-calorie almond preload ("appetizer") 30 minutes before oral glucose tolerance testing in glucose-intolerant individuals without diabetes.
Twenty adults with prediabetes or isolated 1-hour glucose ≥160 mg/dL underwent 2 fasting oral glucose tolerance tests (GTTs)-1 standard GTT and 1 GTT 30 minutes after eating a half ounce (12) of dry-roasted almonds. Fourteen participants met 1 or more prediabetes diagnostic criteria; 6 had only elevated 1-hour glucose ≥160 mg/dL.
The mean 1-hour plasma glucose after the almond preload was 37.1 mg/dL (19.4%) lower (154.6 vs 191.7; P < .001) than in the standard GTT. The almond preload reduced the area under the glucose curve by 15.5% (P < .001). Eight individuals had a marked hypoglycemic effect (glucose reduced by 45 to 110 mg/dL); 4 had a moderate hypoglycemic effect (22-32 mg/dL).
A low-calorie almond "appetizer" showed promise as an option for decreasing postprandial hyperglycemia in individuals with prediabetes or isolated 1-hour postprandial hyperglycemia. Further study is needed to confirm and refine the role of such a premeal appetizer in the self-care of prediabetes.