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Nutritional Immunology and Inflammation/Immunometabolism (Oral Session 15)

(OR15-04-25) Almond Consumption for 6 Weeks Improves Inflammatory Profiles in Adults With Obesity

Monday, June 2, 2025
2:36 PM - 2:48 PM ET
Location: S230 CD

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Ayodeji Adepoju, PhD (he/him/his)

    Postdoctoral research fellow
    University of Missouri-Columbia
    Columbia, Missouri, United States

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • JD

    Jaapna Dhillon, PhD

    University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri, United States

Objectives: Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, contributing to the development and progression of metabolic complications. Diets rich in nuts, such as almonds, provide nutrients that may help reduce inflammation and mitigate these complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of almond consumption on serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in adults with obesity during a 6-week intervention.

Methods: A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in which 69 adults (age: 30–45 years, BMI: 30–45 kg/m²) were randomly assigned to consume either almonds (2 oz./day, n = 38) or an isocaloric cookie control snack (325 kcal/day, n = 31) for 6 weeks. Fasting serum samples were collected, and body weight was assessed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention. Concentrations of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured via ELISA. IL-6 was evaluated as a key marker of systemic inflammation, while IL-10 was assessed as an anti-inflammatory marker. A mixed model analysis in JMP Pro 17 was conducted to assess group, time, and group x time interaction effects on IL-6, IL-10, and weight. Post hoc t-tests with adjustments for multiple comparisons were performed when significant effects were observed. Additionally, standard least squares regression analysis was conducted to evaluate group differences in changes from baseline to follow-up. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A significant group x time interaction was observed for both IL-6 and IL-10 (P < 0.05). Almond consumption significantly decreased IL-6 concentrations over 6 weeks compared to the cookie control (42% vs. 12%, P < 0.05). Conversely, almond consumption led to a significant increase in IL-10 concentrations compared to the control (136% vs. -47% P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in body weight for either group over the 6-week period.

Conclusions: Almond consumption improves inflammatory profiles in adults with obesity by decreasing IL-6 and increasing IL-10 concentrations during weight maintenance. These findings suggest that nutrient-dense foods like almonds may help alleviate obesity-related inflammation.

Funding Sources: Almond Board of California