Peanuts or An Isocaloric Lower Fat, Higher Carbohydrate Nighttime Snack Have Similar Effects on Fasting Glucose in Adults with Elevated Fasting Glucose Concentrations: A 6-Week Randomized Crossover Trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nThe glycemic effects of peanuts are not well-studied and no trials have been conducted in adults with elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Furthermore, intake of peanuts as a nighttime snack, an eating occasion affecting FPG, has not been examined.\n\n\nOBJECTIVE\nThe aim was to determine the effect of consuming 28 g/d of peanuts as a nighttime snack for 6-weeks on glycemic control and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, compared to an isocaloric lower fat, higher carbohydrate (LFHC) snack (whole grain crackers and low-fat cheese), in adults with elevated FPG.\n\n\nMETHODS\nIn a randomized crossover trial, 50 adults (FPG 100 ± 8 mg/dL) consumed dry roasted, unsalted, peanuts (164 kcal; 11% E carbohydrate, 17% E protein, and 73% E fat) or a LFHC (164 kcal; 54% E carbohydrate, 17% E protein, and 33% E fat) as a nightly snack (after dinner and before bedtime) for 6-wk with a 4-wk washout period. Primary (FPG) and secondary endpoints (Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), weight, insulin, fructosamine, lipids/lipoproteins, central and peripheral blood pressure, and pulse wave velocity) were evaluated at the beginning and end of each condition. Linear mixed models were used for data analysis.\n\n\nRESULTS\nFPG was not different between peanuts vs. LFHC (endpoint mean difference -0.6 mg/dL; 95% CI -2.7, 1.6; P = 0.67). There were no between-condition effects for secondary cardiometabolic endpoints. The HEI-2015 score was not different between the conditions (3.6 points; P = 0.19), although seafood/plant protein (2.0 points; P < 0.01) and added sugar (0.8 points; P = 0.04) components were improved following peanut intake. The whole grain component was lower with peanuts vs. LFHC (-2.6 points; P < 0.01).\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nIn adults with elevated FPG, peanuts as a nighttime snack (28 g/d) did not affect FPG vs. an isocaloric LFHC snack after 6-weeks.Clinical trial registration: NCT03654651This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03654651.