PuSH - Publication Server of Helmholtz Zentrum München

Nijssen, K.M.* ; Mensink, R.P.* ; Plat, J.* ; Ivanov, D.* ; Preissl, H. ; Joris, P.J.*

Mixed nut consumption improves brain insulin sensitivity: A randomized, single-blinded, controlled, crossover trial in older adults with overweight or obesity.

Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 119, 314-323 (2024)
Publ. Version/Full Text DOI PMC
Open Access Gold (Paid Option)
Creative Commons Lizenzvertrag
BACKGROUND: Improving brain insulin sensitivity, which can be assessed by measuring regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) responses to intranasal insulin, may prevent age-related metabolic and cognitive diseases. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate longer-term effects of mixed nuts on brain insulin sensitivity in older individuals with overweight/obesity. METHODS: In a randomized, single-blinded, controlled, crossover trial, 28 healthy adults (mean ± standard deviation: 65 ± 3 years; body mass index: 27.9 ± 2.3 kg/m2) received either daily 60-g mixed nuts (15 g of walnuts, pistachio, cashew, and hazelnuts) or no nuts (control) for 16 weeks, separated by an 8-week washout period. Throughout the study, participants were instructed to adhere to the Dutch food-based dietary guidelines. During follow-up, brain insulin action was assessed by quantifying acute effects of intranasal insulin on regional CBF using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, effects on peripheral insulin sensitivity (oral glucose tolerance test), intrahepatic lipids, and cardiometabolic risk markers were assessed. RESULTS: Body weight and composition did not change. Compared with control, mixed nut consumption improved regional brain insulin action in 5 clusters located in the left (difference in CBF responses to intranasal insulin: -4.5 ± 4.7 mL/100 g/min; P < 0.001; -4.6 ± 4.8 mL/100 g/min; P < 0.001; and -4.3 ± 3.6 mL/100 g/min; P = 0.007) and right occipital lobes (-4.3 ± 5.6 mL/100 g/min; and -3.9 ± 4.9 mL/100 g/min; P = 0.028). A fifth cluster was part of the left frontal lobe (-5.0 ± 4.6 mL/100 g/min; P < 0.001). Peripheral insulin sensitivity was not affected. Intrahepatic lipid content (-0.7%-point; 95% CI: -1.3%-point to -0.1%-point; P = 0.027), serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (-0.24 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.44 to -0.04 mmol/L; P = 0.019), and systolic blood pressure (-5 mm Hg; 95% CI: -8 to -1 mm Hg; P = 0.006) were lower after the mixed nut intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Longer-term mixed nut consumption affected insulin action in brain regions involved in the modulation of metabolic and cognitive processes in older adults with overweight/obesity. Intrahepatic lipid content and different cardiometabolic risk markers also improved, but peripheral insulin sensitivity was not affected. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04210869.
Altmetric
Additional Metrics?
[➜Log in]
Edit extra informations Login
Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Corresponding Author
Keywords Brain ; Cardiometabolic Risk ; Cerebral Blood Flow ; Insulin Sensitivity ; Mixed Nuts; Mediterranean Diet; Blood-pressure; Resistance; Glucose; Indexes; Plasma; Metaanalysis; Disorders; Disease; Young
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0002-9165
e-ISSN 1938-3207
Journal American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Quellenangaben Volume: 119, Issue: 2, Pages: 314-323 Article Number: , Supplement: ,
Publisher American Society for Nutrition
Publishing Place Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, Ny 10169 Usa
Non-patent literature Publications
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM)
Grants International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC)