Abstract
BACKGROUND: Evening snacks are consumed by most people. Prior research suggests that macronutrient composition influences next morning metabolic responses and beneficial effects are imparted by low glycemic index foods and/or those that contain fermentable fibers. Avocados are a complex matrix of healthy fats and fibers with low glycemic value. Prediabetes is an early stage of impaired glucose and insulin responses, and a critical period for dietary strategies to improve metabolic health. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess evening snack macronutrient composition and whole food (avocado) matrix on morning metabolic indices in adults with prediabetes. METHODS: Participants (n = 55; age: 44 ± 14 years; BMI: 28 ± 6 kg/m(2)) were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 energy-matched (280 kcal) snack interventions in a crossover design: control (low fat, low fiber); avocado, whole (high fat, high fiber); and matrix control (high-fat, high-fiber combined ingredients). Snacks were consumed on 3 separate evenings at the same time (±1 h), followed by 12-h fast and blood collections before and after (3 h) a standard breakfast (720 kcal). Data were analyzed by repeated-measure analysis of variance using the mixed procedure. RESULTS: Fasting and postprandial glycemic and inflammatory markers were not different after snack interventions (P > 0.05). After the avocado snack, fasting triglycerides tended to be lower (P = 0.09), and a snack-by-time interaction (P = 0.02) revealed significantly lower triglyceride concentrations at 3 h. CONCLUSIONS: Snacking on avocados in the evening may have important effects on triglyceride metabolism.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05263011.