Energy Value of Macronutrients From Almonds and Mechanisms of Nutrient Action

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to learn more about the number of calories in almonds and the mechanisms of the health effects of almonds. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an inverse or no relationship between nut consumption and body weight, despite the fact that nuts are an energy dense food. Intervention studies have shown that consumption of nuts has no effect on body weight or an effect that is significantly less than predicted. Fecal analyses in studies with peanuts, almonds, and pecans have found increased fecal fat and energy loss with nut consumption; however studies with almonds are lacking.