India is often described as the “world’s diabetes capital”. Cardiometabolic diseases have reached epidemic levels across the globe, with nearly one in three deaths attributed to cardiovascular diseases. It is worth noting that poor dietary choices have fuelled the epidemic of diabetes and heart disease. It is vital to consider how whole foods, like almonds, may play a role in protecting our health.Dr. Anoop Misra, Chairman of Fortis Centre for Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol (C-DOC) and head of the National Diabetes Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (NDOC), recently teamed up with ten global health and nutrition experts to publish a paper that dives into decades of research on almonds. Together, they reached a unanimous conclusion: eating almonds every day can significantly improve heart health, help manage weight, regulate blood sugar, and boost gut health. What stood out in their findings was that almonds may be particularly helpful for Indians with prediabetes, who are more vulnerable to progressing to full-blown diabetes compared to other ethnic groups.Also Read: Dentists Are Upset Over FDA’s Plan To Ban Fluoride Supplements: What Really Happens to Your Body When You Eliminate Fluoride CompletelyWhy Almonds Deserve Their Superfood StatusIt is true that almonds are one of the most researched foods. They pack a punch with their rich nutrient profile, offering plant protein, healthy fats, fibre, and a host of vitamins and minerals. What makes them even more convenient is their portability and shelf stability, making them easy to include in any kind of diet.Tackling the Cardiometabolic CrisisCardiometabolic diseases account for nearly one in three global deaths, says Dr. Misra, stressing the importance of finding simple dietary solutions. Whole foods like almonds could be the key to preventing and managing these conditions. He and his co-authors outlined four major benefits of almond consumption in their research.1. Almonds are Good for Your HeartDr. Misra says that almonds are particularly good for the heart. They help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure. There is strong evidence that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats like the ones found in almonds can decrease the risk of heart disease. This heart-healthy swap could be a game-changer for people across India and beyond.2. Almonds Help You Lose Weight Almonds can also aid in weight management. Dr. Misra says that eating more than 50 grams a day may even result in slight weight loss. Thanks to their protein and fibre content, almonds help control hunger, which might lead people to naturally consume fewer calories throughout the day.3. Almonds are Great for Your Gut Your gut loves almonds too. According to Dr. Misra, daily almond intake can positively alter the gut microbiome by encouraging the growth of good bacteria and increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids. These changes can help reduce body fat and promote overall wellbeing.4. Almonds Help Regulate Blood SugarWhen it comes to managing blood sugar, almonds show powerful effects. “Research shows a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose and HbA1C with daily almond consumption”, especially in Asian Indians with prediabetes, says Dr. Misra. The research spans various populations in India, from adults with type 2 diabetes to adolescents with prediabetes, all showing notable benefits with regular almond intake.Cracking the Code of Prediabetes ReversalCalling the reversal of prediabetes to normal blood sugar levels “the holy grail of medicine”, Dr. Misra shares exciting findings from two recent studies by his team at NDOC. Participants ate a small handful of almonds three times daily before meals. Results were promising: short-term gains in just three days and longer-term benefits over three months, where nearly 23.3 per cent of people reversed their prediabetes.“These findings underscore the potential of almonds as an accessible and nutrient-dense food to combat the growing burden of cardiometabolic diseases,” Dr. Misra concludes.