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New Delhi: As India
grapples with a major public health problem, being home to an
estimated 50.8 million diabetic population, the largest in the
world, experts say consuming a few almonds daily can help combat
the lifestyle disease.
"Eating almonds has a positive effect on reducing low density
cholesterol and also improves insulin sensitivity; so it does help
in pushing diabetes away," says Ritesh Gupta, head of clinical
operation at Fortis C-Doc Hospital.
"It is a healthy source of fibre, protein and calories and has
been found to have a positive effect in reducing bad cholesterol
and improved insulin sensitivity," Gupta told IANS.
Diabetes is caused when there is deficiency of insulin hormone,
which controls blood sugar levels. Its symptoms include fatigue,
excessive thirst and frequent urination.
With an estimated 50.8 million people living with the disease,
India has the world's largest population of diabetics in the
world, followed by China with 43.2 million, says the World Health
Organisation (WHO).
The number in India is expected to go up to 87 million - 8.4
percent of the country's adult population - by 2030.
With India staring at a major public health threat due to diabetes
and other lifestyle diseases, almond is now being hailed as the
health nut.
"Indians are more prone to lifestyle diseases like diabetes. The
increasingly sedentary lifestyle and fast food double up the risk.
Almond, which has traditionally been part of our diet, is a high
source of nutrition and helps push these diseases away," says
Anoop Misra, director of Diabetes Foundation (India).
"A handful of almonds contains 164 calories and 7 gm of protein,
which helps in fighting hunger pangs and helps you control what
you eat. Almonds also help growing children in developing strong
bones," he adds.
A study done by scholars from the University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey, West Chester University, Pennsylvania,
and Loma Linda University of California, all in the US, and
published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition also
confirms that the nut can control diabetes if consumed regularly.
"A diet consisting of 20 percent of calories as almonds over a
16-week period is effective in improving markers of insulin
sensitivity and yields clinically significant improvements in LDL-C
(low density lipoprotein cholesterol) in adults with
pre-diabetes," the study said.
"We have made great strides in chronic disease research, from
evidence of effective treatment to evidence of effective
prevention," said Michelle Wien, assistant research professor in
nutrition at Loma Linda University's School of Public Health.
She was also the principal investigator for the study, which was
conducted at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New
Jersey.
"Low density cholesterol is the cholesterol which blocks the
arteries. According to the study, the intake of almonds had a
significant effect on reducing the levels, along with improving
insulin sensitivity," said Karen Lapsley, chief scientific officer
of the Almond Board of California, which was an associate in the
study.
"It's also very easy to consume, one can have it any time, so it
merges well with the hectic lifestyle," Lapsley said.
Gupta, however, adds that indiscreet consumption of almonds alone
will not help and it should be seen as a percentage of total
calorie intake.
"It is not that one can eat anything and pop five almonds. It has
to be seen as a percentage of total calorie intake. The rest of
the diet is as important," he added.
(Anjali Ojha
can be contacted at anjali.o@ians.in)
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