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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Jun 24;17(13):2092.
doi: 10.3390/nu17132092.

Effect of Almond Milk Versus Cow Milk on Postprandial Glycemia, Lipidemia, and Gastrointestinal Hormones in Patients with Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Shilton Dhaver  1 , Marwa Al-Badri  1   2 , Joanna Mitri  1   2 , Abd Almasih Barbar Askar  1   2 , Adham Mottalib  1   2 , Osama Hamdy  1   2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of Almond Milk Versus Cow Milk on Postprandial Glycemia, Lipidemia, and Gastrointestinal Hormones in Patients with Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Shilton Dhaver et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background: Almond milk is often seen as a healthier alternative to cow milk. However, its effect on postprandial glycemia compared to 2% milk is unclear. Here, we compared the postprandial glycemic effect of almond milk versus carbohydrate- or caloric-matched 2% milk, each served with oatmeal to patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: In this crossover, three-way, open-label study, 22 participants (mean age 66 ± 7.4 years, 36% female), with T2D and overweight or obesity, consumed oatmeal served with almond milk (ALM), carbohydrate-matched 2% milk (MLKCRB), or calorie-matched 2% milk (MLKCAL) on separate days and in a random order. The primary outcome was glucose incremental area under the curve for 240 min (iAUC0-240). The secondary outcomes included postprandial serum insulin, glucagon, plasma free fatty acids (FFAs), serum triglycerides, leptin, and gastrointestinal hormones (PYY, active GLP-1, GIP, amylin, cholecystokinin, and ghrelin).

Results: We did not find any difference in either the primary endpoint or secondary endpoints between the three groups. However, iAUC0-240 for insulin and glucagon was significantly higher in MLKCRB vs. ALM (FDR = 0.002 and 0.02, respectively).

Conclusions: Almond milk does not offer any additional glycemic benefit over 2% milk and does not differ in its postprandial effects on FFAs, serum triglycerides, leptin, and gastrointestinal hormones over 4 h. Nonetheless, carbohydrate-matched 2% milk elicited greater insulin and glucagon response compared to almond milk, warranting further investigation into its long-term implications.

Keywords: almond milk; dairy; free fatty acids; obesity; type 2 diabetes.

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Conflict of interest statement

O.H. receives research support from Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, and Cambridge Medical Technology Inc., and is on the advisory board of Abbott Nutrition. J.M consults for Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company and has equity interest in Sequel Med Tech. S.D., M.A.-B., A.A.B.A., and A.M. have no disclosures to report.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of study enrollment.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Postprandial glucose (a), insulin (b), glucagon (c), and GLP-1 (d) levels in response to the breakfast meals. Values are mean ± SEM.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Postprandial insulin (a) and glucagon (b) incremental area under the curve 0–240 min in response to the breakfast meals. Values are mean ± SEM. * FDR < 0.05 compared to almond milk.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Postprandial insulin (a) and glucagon (b) incremental area under the curve 0–240 min in response to the breakfast meals. Values are mean ± SEM. * FDR < 0.05 compared to almond milk.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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