When thinking of wrinkle reduction, most middle-aged women instinctively seek specialized facials and creams, rather than specific foods, and this makes sense, as skin health should come from within.
Researchers in clinical trial interestingly focused on almonds in an effort to find foods with anti-aging properties that can improve the appearance of skin in postmenopausal women.
Study May Show Almonds Are Effective.
This randomized pilot study was conducted by researchers. It involved 28 postmenopausal women, 53 to 80 years, with skin type 1 or 2 on the Fitzpatrick scale. They were divided into two groups: intervention and control.
Over a 16-week period, participants in the intervention group were instructed to consume 340 kcal per day of whole almonds, which is equivalent to approximately 2 ounces (59g). Control group patients were given a snack without nuts and with the same calories (such as a cereal bar, granola bar, or pretzels).
The women underwent evaluations to analyze the depth and severity of wrinkles, including taking high-resolution facial photos before, during and after the duration of the study.
Study results.
After 16 weeks, women in the intervention group showed a 9% decrease in wrinkle severity and a 10% decrease in wrinkle width compared to the control group.
The researchers did not observe significant changes in sebum production (sebum is an oily substance secreted by the skin glands that hydrates the skin; its production gradually decreases after menopause).
Also, no adverse reactions were observed among the participants. The findings from this study suggest that eating almonds regularly can significantly decrease wrinkles in postmenopausal women.
Researchers point to almonds’ richness in protein, healthy fats, and vitamin E as the most likely cause of these anti-aging effects. They also point out that these benefits were obtained even without any effect on sebum production.
Such simple and cost-effective nutritional interventions are good news for middle-aged people not only looking to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, but also wanting other benefits from regular nut consumption. Studies have shown that almonds can help control cholesterol levels, weight loss, and oxidative stress.