Impact of almond nut consumption on markers of CVD & metabolic disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised, controlled parallel dietary intervention study to investigate the effect of almond snack consumption on cardio-metabolic disease risk markers compared with isocaloric snacks, in adults at moderate risk of cardiovascular disease
IRAS ID
212398
Contact name
Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
The ill-health from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes is increasing year by year. These diseases are extremely costly for the country and negatively influence the quality of life and national economies. Certain risk factors such as an increase in fat in the liver, heart and organs (known as ectopic fat) and poor blood sugar control (known as insulin resistance) can increase the chances of developing CVD and diabetes.
Snack choice can improve diet quality and is one area of diet and lifestyle modification which can potentially reduce these risk factors and therefore reduce the chances of developing CVD and diabetes.
Previous research has shown that almonds have reduced some CVD risk factors when consumed at 50-60g per day. Almonds are higher in protein, fat and vitamins and minerals but lower in carbohydrates than typical UK snacks. This research will help the researchers understand the effects of eating almond nuts as daily snack and will form part of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
We are recruiting volunteers aged 30-70years at increased risk of CVD (based on a scoring system). The study will last 6 weeks with a 2 week run in period. It will involve eating either almonds or muffins/ crackers as snacks with 6 study visits. Blood sampling will be at 3 visits (total blood taken 13 teaspoons) in addition to body measurements, blood pressure, 24hr blood pressure and heart rate, measures of vessel function and in a subset of participants, an MRI scan and stool sample collection.There will also be some food and activity questionnaires to complete.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1910
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion