HDL biology
A randomized trial finds baru almonds reduce waist circumference and CETP expression while raising HDL in overweight women (Nutrition 2018)
Original title: A baru almond-enriched diet reduces abdominal adiposity and improves high-density lipoprotein concentrations: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
In a randomized, placebo-controlled, 8-week trial of 46 overweight and obese women assigned to a baru almond-enriched or baru almond-free normocaloric diet, the almond-enriched diet reduced waist circumference by 2.45 cm (95% CI, -3.90 to -0.23; P = 0.03), reduced cholesteryl ester transfer protein expression by 0.23 mcg/mL (95% CI, -1.24 to -0.08; P = 0.03), and increased HDL concentrations by 4.82 mg/dL (95% CI, 0.03 to 8.88; P = 0.04) compared with the almond-free diet. An 8-week baru almond-enriched diet therefore reduced abdominal adiposity and improved HDL cholesterol in overweight and obese women.
Original abstract
Objectives: Nut consumption is associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular disease. Baru almonds have a high protein content and high quantities of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a baru almond-enriched diet on body composition and markers of lipid metabolism in overweight and obese women.
Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled, 8-wk clinical trial of 46 overweight and obese women was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 normocaloric and isoenergetic diets: baru almond-enriched diet or baru almond-free diet. Both groups received dietary instructions. Body composition was assessed by anthropometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Blood pressure, glucose levels, lipid profile, and plasma fatty acids, as well as apolipoproteins, angiopoietin-like-3, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein expression, were determined at the beginning and end of the study.
Results: The consumption of baru almonds reduced waist circumference (-2.45 cm; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.90 to -0.23; P = 0.03), cholesteryl ester transfer protein expression (-0.23 mcg/mL; 95% CI, -1.24 to-0.08; P = 0.03), and increased high-density lipoprotein concentrations (+4.82 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.03-8.88; P = 0.04) compared with baru almond-free diet.
Conclusions: A baru almond-enriched diet for 8-wk reduced abdominal adiposity and improved high-density lipoprotein in overweight and obese women. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as RBR-2 wpryx.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.