Almond based low carbohydrate diet may improve depression in Diabetics: Study

A low carbohydrate diet (LCD) is more beneficial for the glycometabolism in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and may be effective in reducing depression.

A recent study found that almond based low carbohydrate diet exerts a beneficial effect on depression and glycometabolism in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The study was published in the journal "Nutrients" in 2020.

Type 2 Diabetes is a multifactorial disease, causing a huge burden on the health of individuals. It is characterized by glycometabolism abnormalities. Diabetes is also associated with mental health-related disorders like depression. Previous research has established the association of Type 2 Diabetes and depression. Nutrition plays an important role in controlling diabetes and improving glycometabolism. A low carbohydrate diet is important for glycometabolism. A very commonly available and edible nut Almond is found to improve hyperglycemia and depression symptoms.

Researchers from China, USA, and the UK conducted a study to determine the effect of an almond-based Low carbohydrate diet (a-LCD) on depression and glycometabolism, as well as gut microbiota and fasting glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in patients with T2DM. The study was a randomized controlled trial that compared an a-LCD with a low-fat diet (LFD). Forty-five participants with T2DM at a diabetes club and the Endocrine Division of the First and Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between December 2018 to December 2019 completed each dietary intervention for 3 months. Participants were randomly divided into two groups with 22 in the a-LCD group and 23 in the LFD group. The indicators for depression and biochemical indicators including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), gut microbiota, and GLP-1 concentration were assessed at the baseline and third month and compared between the two groups.

The principal findings of the study were:

• A-LCD significantly improved depression and HbA1c (p <0.01).

• Meanwhile, a-LCD significantly increased the short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing bacteria Roseburia, Ruminococcus, and Eubacterium.

• The Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentration in the a-LCD group was higher than that in the LFD group (p <0.05).

Thus, the researchers concluded that Almond rich Low carbohydrate diet could exert a beneficial effect on depression and glycometabolism in patients with T2DM. They also speculated that the role of a-LCD in improving depression in patients with T2DM may be associated with it stimulating the growth of Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, increasing SCFAs production and G-protein coupled receptor 43 activation, and further maintaining Glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion. The authors also suggested future studies, where SCFAs and GPR43 activation should be further examined.

The study "An Almond-Based Low Carbohydrate Diet Improves Depression and Glycometabolism in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes through Modulating Gut Microbiota and GLP-1: A Randomized Controlled Trial" was published in the journal "Nutrients" in 2020. 

For further reading, click the following link: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103036