Almond appetizer effect on glucose tolerance test (GTT) results

Background: 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. methods: 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. results: 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). conclusion: 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.