International Journal of Nutrition Sciences

International Journal of Nutrition Sciences

Comparison of the Effect Yoga, Almond Consumption, the Harris-Benedict Formula Diabetic Diet and Their Combination on Blood Sugar Level in Women with Type 2 Diabetes in Damghan, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zahra Akbarian
Nematullah Nemati
Tahereh Bagherpour
Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran
10.30476/ijns.2026.107056.1477
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases with a prevalence increasing due to overweight and obesity. Lifestyle modification (diet and exercise) can beneficially affect blood sugar level and anthropometric parameters. The main purpose of this present study was to examine the effects of yoga exercises, almond consumption, and adherence to a healthy diet separately or together on blood sugar level and anthropometric parameters in diabetic women.
Methods: In a clinical trial conducted for 8 weeks in Damghan, Iran on women with type 2 diabetes who were between 30 and 50 years old; 50 diabetic women were included in the study and were divided into five groups of ten participants (control, yoga, almond, diet, and combined).
Results: It was shown that the yoga, almonds, Harris-Benedict formula diabetic diet, and combined group (diet, yoga, and almonds) experienced a decrease in mean body mass index, waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose (FBS) level in comparison with the control group. In addition, individuals who strictly followed the prescribed diet were the only group to show a significant difference for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level (p=0.037).
Conclusion: Yoga, almond, and the healthy diet, each alone or in combination could improve the body composition and FBS level in diabetic women. The diet alone was not able to improve HbA1c level effectively.

Highlights

Tahereh Bagherpour (Google Scholar)

Keywords
Yoga
Almond
Harris-Benedict formula
Diabetes
Iran
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