title: Almond "Appetizer" Effect on Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) Results.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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).
  
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: From the Memorial Family Medicine Residency, Sugar Land, TX.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Crouch
authors.affiliation: From the Memorial Family Medicine Residency, Sugar Land, TX.
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Slater
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004035:Diet Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009754:Nuts; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy; D000068181:Prunus dulcis; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose
keywords: Area Under Curve; Blood Glucose; Eating; Energy Intake; Fasting; Food Habits; Glucose Intolerance; Glucose Tolerance Test; Hyperglycemia; Prediabetic State; Prunus dulcis; Self-Care