The frequently-suggested positive effect of nuts on cardiovascular health has now been confirmed by a meta-analysis. According to the study, eating nuts leads to a reduction of LDL cholesterol, ApoB and triglyceride levels. The study was published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition".
Researchers from Tufts University in Boston (Massachusetts) included 61 studies with 2,582 participants in their analysis. The interventions lasted between three and 26 weeks (on average four) and nuts - almonds, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts - were made available. The amount varied from five to 100 grams per day, the average being 56 grams. All participants were older than 18 years and had no cardiovascular disease.
Compared with the control groups, the study showed that consumption of nuts significantly improved various blood values. In concrete terms, a daily serving of nuts lowered total cholesterol by 4.7 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol and ApoB by 3.7 mg/dL, and triglycerides by 2.2 mg/dL. According to the report, the amount of nuts, rather than the type of nuts, consumed was decisive.
Evidence is increasing that the intake of nuts can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, says study author Liana Del Gobbo. Findings showed that most especially diabetics and people with insulin resistance benefit from eating nuts, she said. Particularly strong effects were found in type 2 diabetics with respect to apolipoprotein B, which provides even better information about risk of heart disease compared with LDL levels.
Univadis
