New Delhi (NVI): Daily consumption of almonds reduces the severity of wrinkles on women’s faces after menopause, claims a first of its kind study that was done to examine the effects of nuts on the skin.

Researchers at the University of California have found that eating almonds daily instead of other nut-free snacks reduces the severity and length of wrinkles that appear on women’s faces after menopause.

Post-menopause is the time when a woman does not experience menstruation for 12 consecutive months. This study, published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, divided women into two groups based on the skin type after menopause in a 16-week control trial.

In both groups, exposure to sunlight divided the severity of the effects on the skin. One of the groups of women ate almonds as a snack. They consumed 20 per cent of their total daily calorie intake or an average of 340 calories per day (60 grams) from almonds. While the other group consumed an equal amount of nut-free snack.

Apart from these snacks, the women involved in the study took their regular diet and did not eat any nutty product. At the beginning of the study, the skins of these women were examined and their skin was tested again at four, eight, twelve and sixteen weeks. High-resolution facial imaging technique was used to examine the skin each time.

Raja Sivamani, the study’s lead researcher and assistant professor of clinical dermatology at US Davis, said, “This high-resolution camera allows 3D reconstruction of any wrinkles, allowing us to identify the main reasons for its length and severity. Estimation of the severity can calculate the depth and length of any one wrinkle.”

The study also assessed skin barrier function by assessing sebum production and transepidermal water deficiency. An attempt was made to find out how to protect our skin from skin barrier function, skin barrier strength and moisturization loss. Not only this, but harmful effects from the environment were also investigated.

Analysis of the photographic image at the end of the study after 16 weeks revealed that the women who ate almonds had less facial wrinkles than the other group and their facial complexion also improved.

Researchers in the study found that eating almonds reduced the width of women’s facial wrinkles by 10 per cent while reducing their severity by 9 per cent. The researchers said that no change in skin barrier function was observed between the two groups.

Sivamani said, “Almonds are a very good source of vitamin E antioxidants and provide us with essential fatty acids and polyphenols. It is the best option for overall good nutrition.’

“Almonds can be part of a healthy ageing diet as a food item, especially for women after menopause,” she said.