Daily almond consumption (60 g/day for 20 weeks) reduced acne lesion counts and improved skin microbial diversity and acne-specific quality of life in adults with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Key Findings
Results
Almond supplementation produced greater reductions in total acne lesion counts compared to controls after 20 weeks.
Total lesion count reduction was -22.2% in the almond group versus -9.8% in the control group.
The experimental group received 60 g of whole, unsalted almonds with skin daily.
The control group received isocaloric cereal-pulse-based snack varieties.
Study duration was 20 weeks with participants aged 18-35 years in Mumbai, India.
Sample sizes were n=36 (almond group) and n=38 (control group).
Results
Almond supplementation reduced inflammatory lesion counts while the control group showed an increase.
Inflammatory lesion counts changed by -8.3% in the almond group compared to +12% in the control group.
Non-inflammatory lesion counts also decreased more in the almond group (-26.1% vs. -20.4% in controls).
These were designated as primary endpoints of the study.
Results
Objective measures of acne lesion volume, area, and height decreased significantly in the almond group.
Reductions were observed for both single and clustered acne lesion measures.
Statistical significance was reported at p ≤ 0.001 for these objective lesion morphology measures.
These were assessed as secondary endpoints including changes in skin morphology.
Results
Skin microbial diversity increased significantly in the almond group after 20 weeks of supplementation.
The Shannon diversity index increased from 2.6 to 3.4 (p = 0.039) in the almond group.
The Chao1 richness index increased from 266.9 to 835.2 (p < 0.001) in the almond group.
Skin microflora composition was a secondary endpoint of the study.
Results
Almond supplementation was associated with significant improvements in psychosocial outcomes related to acne.
Acne-related quality of life scores showed significant post-intervention improvement (p < 0.001) in the almond group.
Anxiety symptoms showed significant improvement (p = 0.016) in the almond group.
These psychosocial outcomes were measured as secondary endpoints.
Methods
The study was designed as a randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial in young adults with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Participants were 18-35 years old, recruited in Mumbai, India.
Total enrolled participants numbered 74 (n=36 almond group, n=38 control group).
Primary endpoints were changes in inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts after 20 weeks.
Secondary endpoints included facial sebum, hydration levels, skin morphology, microflora, and selected biochemical parameters.