Background: The aim of this study was to compare lipid-altering effects of an almond-based
diet with a reference diet. In a randomized single blind, cross-over clinical trial study, the effect of
almond (25 g/day) on serum lipoproteins of mild hypercholesterolemic patients were studied.
Methods: This eight-week dietary trial was divided into two consecutive four-week intervention
periods. Both diets conformed to National Cholesterol Educational Program (NECP) step 1 diet and
contained identical foods and macronutrients, except for almond. After a washout period, each
patient consumed the opposite dietary regimen for 4 weeks. In the almond group, subjects used 25
g/ day of almond powder. Thirty hyperlipidemic adult men and women were considered eligible,
after a preliminary medical history review and laboratory screening for lipid profile.
Results: Combined average for both of the cross-over phases showed that almond induced a
reduction in total cholesterol (TC) of 8 ± 27mg/dL and in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLC)
of 9 ± 29 mg/dL. The reference diet did not induce a significant reduction in TC and LDL-C (for
TC P < 0.01, and LDL-C, P < 0.05). Neither treatments induced significant changes in high-density
lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest a favorable lipid-altering effect induced by the almond, even
in lower dose than previous studies (25 g vs. 100 g). These may be due to the interactive or
additive effects of the numerous bioactive constituents found in almond.