Want to boost sexual activity, lose weight? Try almonds

Almond seeds

The verdict is out, moderate consumption of seed kernel of Indian almond (Terminalia catappa) could be useful in the treatment of men with sexual dysfunctions resulting primarily from premature ejaculation; and to reduce hunger and improve dietary vitamin E and monounsaturated (‘good’) fat intake without increasing body weight. 

TWO recent clinical trials have confirmed that snacking on almonds could be the best way to lose weight and prevent premature ejaculation. Commonly called Tropical Almond or Indian Almond, Terminalia catappa, belongs to the plant family Combretaceae.

Researchers from the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, in a study published in Asian Journal Andrology concluded: “In conclusion, the present findings show that seeds of Terminalia catappa possess potent aphrodisiac activity and provides scientific evidence in favour of the claims made in Ayurvedic medicine in Sri Lanka regarding this action.  The results also suggest that moderate consumption of kernel of seed of T. catappa could be useful in the treatment of men with sexual dysfunctions resulting primarily from premature ejaculation.”

The study is titled: “Terminalia catappa seeds; aphrodisiac; male sexual behaviour; libido; premature ejaculation; fertility; sedation.” Also, a new study published in the October issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that study participants eating 1.5 ounces of dry-roasted, lightly salted almonds every day experienced reduced hunger and improved dietary vitamin E and monounsaturated (‘good’) fat intake without increasing body weight.

The newly published four-week randomised, controlled clinical study, led by researchers at Purdue University, investigated the effects of almond snacking on weight and appetite.

The study included 137 adult participants at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Participants were divided into five groups: a control group that avoided all nuts and seeds, a breakfast meal group and lunch meal group that ate 1.5 ounces of almonds each with their daily breakfast or lunch, and a morning snack group and afternoon snack group that each consumed 1.5 ounces of almonds between their customary meals. All almond snacks were eaten within approximately two hours after their last meal and two hours before their next meal.

Participants were not given any other dietary instruction other than to follow their usual eating patterns and physical activity. Participant compliance to consuming almonds was monitored through self-reported dietary intake assessments and fasting vitamin E plasma levels.

Despite consuming approximately 250 additional calories per day from almonds, participants did not increase the total number of calories they ate and drank over the course of the day or gain weight over the course of the four-week study.

Results of phytochemical analysis of the nuts of Terminalia catappa showed the presence of significant amount of phosphorus (22000 μg/g dry weight), large amounts of carbohydrates (78.14 per cent dry weight) and crude fat (16.35 per cent dry weight) in the nut.

According to the study published in Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, “magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, sodium and manganese were also detected at significant levels. Vitamins A and C were also present at levels, which can supplement other dietary sources. Nitrite and total acidity were low, thus making the nut safe for consumption. The result of the study shows that Tropical Almond nut can contribute useful amounts of essential nutrients to the diet of man.”

The Singapore researchers evaluated the aphrodisiac potential of Terminalia catappa seeds using a suspension of its kernel (SS) in one per cent methyl cellulose in rats. Male rats were orally treated with 1500 mg/kg or 3000 mg/kg SS or vehicle, and their sexual behaviour was monitored three hour later using a receptive female.  Another group of rats was orally treated with either 3000 mg/kg SS or vehicle for seven consecutive days.

Their sexual behaviour and fertility were evaluated on days one, four and seven of treatment and day seven post-treatment by pairing overnight with a pro-oestrous female. The results showed that the 1500 mg/kg dose had a marked aphrodisiac action (prolongation of ejaculation latency) but no effect on libido (per cent mounting, per cent intromission and per cent ejaculation), sexual vigour (mounting-and-intromission frequency), or sexual performance (intercopulatory interval).

In contrast, the higher dose (3000 mg/kg) reversibly inhibited all the parameters of sexual behaviour other than mounting-and-intromission frequency and copulatory efficiency. The researchers wrote: “The effects of high dose SS were not due to general toxicity, liver toxicity, haemotoxicity, stress, muscle deficiency, muscle incoordination, analgesia, hypoglycaemia or reduction in blood testosterone level.  They were due to marked sedation.

“The kernel of T. catappa seeds has aphrodisiac activity and may be useful in the treatment of certain forms of sexual inadequacies, such as premature ejaculation.” Distinguished professor of Nutrition Science at Purdue University and the study’s principal investigator, Prof. Richard Mattes, wrote: “This research suggests that almonds may be a good snack option, especially for those concerned about weight. In this study, participants compensated for the additional calories provided by the almonds so daily energy intake did not rise and reported reduced hunger levels and desire to eat at subsequent meals, particularly when almonds were consumed as a snack.”

Almonds have also previously been shown to increase satiety in both normal weight and overweight subjects. This may be attributed to almonds’ monounsaturated fat (13 grams/ounce), protein (6 grams/ounce) and fiber (4 grams/ounce) content, but further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms.

Additionally, a recent study measuring digestibility found that whole almonds contain 20 per cent fewer calories than the Nutrition Facts Panel states, suggesting that because of their rigid cell structure, not all calories are available for absorption. Further research is needed to better understand how this technique for calculating calories could potentially affect the calorie count of other foods.

The new study suggests snacking can be a weight-wise strategy, depending upon the foods consumed. The combined positive effects of daily almond consumption seen in participants on hunger, appetite control, and vitamin E and monounsaturated fat intake without any impact on body weight suggests almonds are a smart snack choice that can help support a healthy weight.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of almonds eaten at a meal or as a snack on blood sugar, appetite and body weight. To evaluate the measured effect, 137 otherwise healthy adults at increased risk of type 2 diabetes were assigned randomly to one of five groups for four weeks: a control group that did not consume nuts or seeds during the study period, and two meal groups and two snack groups that consumed 43 grams, or 1.5 oz. of whole almonds daily at assigned breakfast or lunch meal times, or morning or afternoon snack times, respectively.

Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed at baseline, along with height, weight, body fat, waist circumference and blood pressure measurements.  A 24-hour dietary recall was completed with a registered dietitian and “hunger,’ “fullness” and “desire to eat” sensations were captured using visual analog scales. Acute feeding sessions involving an overnight fast and consecutive blood samplings after ingestion of meals or snacks were performed one week after the OGTT and at the end of the four weeks. Participants underwent weekly follow-up visits where weight was recorded, 24-hour dietary intake and appetite sensation ratings were assessed.

Monounsaturated fat and vitamin E intake were significantly increased in all almond groups compared to baseline and the control group. Daylong ratings of hunger and desire to eat were significantly reduced in the combined (mid-morning + mid-afternoon) snack groups and the combined (breakfast + lunch) meal groups relative to the control group, with the most pronounced reductions observed when almonds were consumed as a snack.

Despite the consumption of 250 calories from the 1.5 ounce serving of almonds daily, body weight did not increase among participants, which researchers suggest may be due to energy compensation in the diet and through inefficient energy absorption.

This study provides evidence that 1.5 ounces of almonds, when consumed daily as a snack or with a meal, suppressed hunger and helped participants meet the recommended dietary intake of vitamin E all without affecting body weight. These findings suggest almonds may be a satisfying snack option to help maintain a healthy weight.

The study was short in duration and did not measure the long-term impact of consuming almonds as a snack. The measures of hunger, desire to eat and fullness are subjective measures with uncertain effects on actual calorie or nutrient intake.

According to the Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa by H. M. Burkill, the fruit contains six to 20 per cent tannin. The fleshy pericarp is eaten in Gabon. The kernel is edible, and has a very subtle flavour making it a delicacy. The husk however is tough, not amenable to separation, so that the kernel is difficult to obtain. The kernel contains 51 to 63 per cent of a fixed oil known as Indian Almond oil, oil of Badamier, or from the Philippines as Talisay oil.

Material from Ivory Coast has been analysed to contain glycerides of palmitic acid 34.4 per cent, oleic acid 32.1 per cent, linoleic acid 27.5 per cent and stearic acid six per cent. It closely resembles sweet almond, cotton seed, kapok and ground nut oils, which it might substitute for dietetic and other industrial uses.

Burkill wrote: “The bark is used in Asian medicine as an astringent for dysentery, etc. It has also been recommended for use as a decoction for gonorrhoea and leucorrhoea, bilious fever and stomach-cramp. The tree yields an insoluble gum of the bassoin type.The leaves and flowers also contain tannin, and the presence of a sterol is reported. In the Philippines and Southern India sap from young leaves is made into an ointment for scabies, leprosy and other cutaneous diseases.

“The leaves when applied externally are refreshing and sudorific, and appear to exercise an anodynal effect on pain for they are used for headache, on rheumatic joints, or in an oily ointment for breast-pain. In Nigeria the leaves macerated in palm-oil have been used as a remedy for tonsilitis. Leaf in Java has shown some antibiotic activity.”

Nuts play an important role in the diet of many people in the world. They serve to supplement the nutrients provided by cereals, legumes and vegetables. Nuts have been the food of man from the earliest times and still are the mini-articles of diet in many parts of the world. Their significance in the nutrition of man is based on several reasons. First, nuts are very nutritious and contain a significant amount of high quality proteins and vital minerals. The superior quality of nut proteins makes them good substitutes for animal food. Second, nuts are good sources of edible oils and fats. Weight for weight, oils and fats furnish 2.25 times more energy than proteins and carbohydrates.

Terminalia catappa is a large deciduous stately tree that thrives mainly as an ornamental tree in many tropical cities in the world. It has a large nutty fruits that taste very much like commercially grown almonds. A fibrous shell surrounds the nut. The nut is edible but unlike the commercial almond, can be eaten raw. In Taiwan, the nut of tropical almond is considered to have aphrodisiac and antibacterial properties. The nut is highly cherished by many people in the rural areas of Southern Nigeria. It also forms part of the local feedstock for tropical aquarium fishes in Nigeria. The nut is also consumed in India, Malaysia and many other parts of South East Asia.