Almonds: When is a Calorie Not a Calorie?

MODESTO, Calif., Dec. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- New data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that both roasted and unroasted almonds provide fewer calories than thought—and that the number of calories is largely dependent on form¹. The study, conducted by scientists from USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and jointly funded by Almond Board of California and USDA ARS, shows that compared to the number of calories listed on nutrition labels, participants actually absorbed 25% fewer calories from whole unroasted almonds and 19% fewer calories from whole roasted almonds.

David Baer, PhD, and his team from USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) conducted a controlled human clinical trial using a new method to measure the calories absorbed from almonds, taking bioavailability into account. The new method allowed the researchers to determine the number of calories actually digested and absorbed from almonds.

Traditionally, calories are determined using what are known as the Atwater factors, which assign an estimated number of calories per gram of fat, protein and carbohydrate in a food. "We expanded upon the Atwater method in our study, so we could tease out the caloric value of a single target food," explains Janet Novotny, PhD, a physiologist and mathematician with the research team.  "Then using the study participants' energy intake and energy output, we were able to measure the number of calories actually digested and absorbed from a single food – in this case, almonds."

In 2012, the researchers conducted their first study using whole roasted almonds, which showed that the almonds provided fewer calories than thought. This time, the research team broadened their investigation to examine the calorie availability of additional almond forms, and also replicated the measurement of calories absorbed from whole roasted almonds. The researchers found that whole unroasted almonds provided 25% fewer calories than expected, while whole roasted almonds provided 19% fewer calories. Chopped roasted almonds provided 17% fewer calories, though the difference between the calories absorbed from chopped and whole roasted almonds was not statistically different. Measured calories in almond butter did not differ from calories estimated using Atwater factors.

Why the discrepancy between the two methods of determining calories? The Atwater method of calculating calories may overstate the calories from almonds because it simply doesn't account for the fact that not all calories from almonds are available to the body. The chewing process does not completely break down almond cell walls, and almonds are therefore not completely absorbed during digestion.

And why the calorie difference between almond forms? Much of this finding has to do with particle size after chewing and digestion. The larger the particle size, after chewing for example, the less the almond is able to be broken down by digestive enzymes and more of the almond is excreted, so fewer calories are absorbed. The reverse is also true: the smaller the particle size, the more almond cells are exposed to digestive enzymes and the more calories are absorbed. In addition to chewing and digestion, mechanical processes, such as chopping, grinding and roasting almonds can also impact particle size.

*Values from USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28
**Measured calorie values for whole and chopped roasted almonds were statistically the same, though they were both significantly and similarly lower

According to David Baer, PhD, "Calories are created equal but their availability from foods is not equal.  These new findings confirm that we actually get fewer calories than we thought from almonds­­, whether they are whole or chopped, roasted or unroasted, and the amount of calories absorbed is mostly dependent on the form of almonds consumed."

Further research is needed to better understand the results of this study and how this method of measuring calories could potentially affect the calorie count of other foods.

Study at a Glance:
The Study:  A study was conducted to determine the energy value of different forms of almonds and to compare the measured energy value with the value calculated from Atwater factors, the primary method used to determine the energy content of foods.  To calculate the measured energy value of almonds, eighteen healthy adults consumed one of five diets for 18 days each. The five treatments were administered to subjects in a crossover design where the diets contained 1 of 5 forms in a serving of 42 g of almonds each day: whole unroasted, whole roasted, chopped roasted, almond butter, and control (0g/day). After 9 days of adaptation to each diet, volunteers collected all urine and feces for 9 days, and samples of diets, urine, and feces were analyzed for macronutrient and energy contents. From this, the "measured" (metabolizable) energy content of the almonds was determined. Fracture force and fracture properties of whole and chopped almonds were measured.

Results: The calories available from whole unroasted, whole roasted, and chopped roasted almonds is significantly lower than predicted with Atwater factors. The calories available from almond butter were similar to predicted. Whole unroasted almonds provided fewer calories than whole roasted almonds. Study authors suggest that because the cell walls in roasted almonds are more fragile, chewing roasted vs. unroasted almonds results in smaller pieces and more breakage of almond cell walls, which makes calories more available for absorption.

Conclusion: Atwater factors overestimate the calories of whole (natural and roasted) and chopped almonds. The amount of calories absorbed from almonds is dependent on the form in which they are consumed.

About California Almonds
California almonds are a natural, wholesome and nutrient-rich food -- high in vitamin E and magnesium, with 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per one ounce (28-gram) serving.  They're grown by more than 6,500 growers in California's Central Valley, which is the only region in the U.S. able to successfully grow almonds commercially.  They're the second most valuable crop in California, and in fact comprise 80 percent of the world's almonds.

The majority of almond farms in California are fewer than 100 acres, and nearly 90 percent are family farms, many operated by third and fourth generation family growers.  Back in 1950, almond growers decided to combine their resources to found and fund what is now the Almond Board of California, a non-profit Federal Marketing Order that operates under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture.

The Almond Board supports growers with a research-based approach to production and marketing. It has funded more than $42 million since 1973 in research related to almond production, quality and safety, nutrition, and environmental aspects of farming.  This has led to a number of breakthroughs and a spirit of continual improvement that has helped almond growers be increasingly efficient, productive and responsible with their valuable resources.  To learn more about the Almond Board's leadership in water efficiency, waste reuse, carbon reduction, bee health and more, visit its blog, and to learn more about almonds, visit almonds.com or almondsustainability.org.

¹ Gebauer SK, Novotny JA, Bornhorst GM and Baer DJ. Food processing and structure impact the metabolizable energy of almonds. Food & Function. 2016;7(10):4231-4238.

SOURCE California Almonds

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