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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #348491
Research Project: Plant Components and Aging

Location: Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging

Title: Effect of almond consumption on vascular function in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized, controlled, cross-over trial

Author
item CHEN, CHUNG-YEN - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item HOLBROOK, MONIKA - Boston University
item DEUSS, MAI-ANN - Boston University
item DOHADWALA, MUSTALI - Boston University
item JAMBURG, NAOMI - Boston University
item ASZTALOS, BELA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item MILBURY, PAUL - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item BLUMBERG, JEFFREY - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item VITA, JOSEPH - Boston University

Submitted to: Nutrition Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/2015
Publication Date: 6/17/2015
Citation: Chen, C., Holbrook, M., Deuss, M., Dohadwala, M.M., Jamburg, N.M., Asztalos, B.F., Milbury, P.E., Blumberg, J.B., Vita, J.A. 2015. Effect of almond consumption on vascular function in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized, controlled, cross-over trial. Nutrition Journal. 14(61):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-015-0049-5.

Interpretive Summary: Heart disease is one of the most common causes of death in middle- and high-income countries. In this study, we investigated whether the addition of 85 g/d of almonds to a healthy diet would improve the health of blood vessels in patients with coronary artery disease. As almonds are rich in vitamin E, we found that the consumption of almonds improved vitamin E status in patients with heart disease. Further, we found that almonds improved dietary quality as reflected by increased intakes of fiber, amino acids, and the minerals calcium and magnesium. However, we did not find a positive effect on the health of blood vessels. We conclude that the generous consumption of almonds was safe in patients with heart disease, absent of any indication of adverse interactions with their medications. Overall, our results provide further support for patients with heart disease that almonds can be part of a healthy diet.

Technical Abstract: Objective: Almonds reduce cardiovascular disease risk via cholesterol reduction, anti-inflammation, glucoregulation, and antioxidation. The objective of this randomized, controlled, cross-over trial was to determine whether the addition of 85 g almonds daily to a National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Step 1 diet (ALM) for 6 weeks would improve vascular function and inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Research design and methods: A randomized, controlled, crossover trial was conducted in Boston, MA to test whether as compared to a control NCEP Step 1 diet absent nuts (CON), incorporation of almonds (85 g/day) into the CON diet (ALM) would improve vascular function and inflammation. The study duration was 22 weeks including a 6-weeks run-in period, two 6-weeks intervention phases, and a 4-weeks washout period between the intervention phases. A total of 45 CAD patients (27 F/18 M, 45-77 y, BMI = 20-41 kg/m2) completed the study. Drug therapies used by patients were stable throughout the duration of the trial. Results: The addition of almonds to the CON diet increased plasma alpha-tocopherol status by a mean of 5.8%, reflecting patient compliance (P