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Review
. 2023 Jan 23;15(3):596.
doi: 10.3390/nu15030596.

Effects of Nut Consumption on Blood Lipids and Lipoproteins: A Comprehensive Literature Update

Marta Guasch-Ferré  1   2 , Anne-Julie Tessier  2 , Kristina S Petersen  3 , Philip A Sapp  4 , Linda C Tapsell  5   6 , Jordi Salas-Salvadó  7   8   9 , Emilio Ros  9   10 , Penny M Kris-Etherton  4
Affiliations
Review

Effects of Nut Consumption on Blood Lipids and Lipoproteins: A Comprehensive Literature Update

Marta Guasch-Ferré et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

In the present review, we provide a comprehensive narrative overview of the current knowledge on the effects of total and specific types of nut consumption (excluding nut oil) on blood lipids and lipoproteins. We identified a total of 19 systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were available in PubMed from the inception date to November 2022. A consistent beneficial effect of most nuts, namely total nuts and tree nuts, including walnuts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, and pistachios, has been reported across meta-analyses in decreasing total cholesterol (mean difference, MD, -0.09 to -0.28 mmol/L), LDL-cholesterol (MD, -0.09 to -0.26 mmol/L), and triglycerides (MD, -0.05 to -0.17 mmol/L). However, no effects on HDL-cholesterol have been uncovered. Preliminary evidence indicates that adding nuts into the regular diet reduces blood levels of apolipoprotein B and improves HDL function. There is also evidence that nuts dose-dependently improve lipids and lipoproteins. Sex, age, or nut processing are not effect modifiers, while a lower BMI and higher baseline lipid concentrations enhance blood lipid/lipoprotein responses. While research is still emerging, the evidence thus far indicates that nut-enriched diets are associated with a reduced number of total LDL particles and small, dense LDL particles. In conclusion, evidence from clinical trials has shown that the consumption of total and specific nuts improves blood lipid profiles by multiple mechanisms. Future directions in this field should include more lipoprotein particle, apolipoprotein B, and HDL function studies.

Keywords: apolipoproteins; cholesterol; lipids; nuts.

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Conflict of interest statement

M.G.-F., A.-J.T. and P.A.S. have no conflicts of interest to declare. E.R. declares receiving grant support through his institution from the California Walnut Commission (Folsom, CA), in addition to personal funds for project supervision and advice and serving as non-paid member of its Scientific Advisory Committee; funds for travel and accommodation from the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC); and personal funds from Alexion for serving in the advisory committee. K.S.P. has received research grants from the California Walnut Commission, The Peanut Institute, the American Pecan Council, and the American Pistachio Growers. P.M.K.-E. reports current and recent research funding from the American Pistachio Growers, the American Pecan Council, the Peanut Institute, and the California Walnut Commission. L.C.T. has received grant support and funds for travel and accommodation from the California Walnut Commission (CWC), The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) and Nuts for Life (Horticulture Australia), and served as a non-paid member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the CWC. J.S.-S. reported receiving research support from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, the European Commission, the USA National Institutes of Health; receiving consulting fees or travel expenses from Instituto Danone and Abbott Laboratories, receiving nonfinancial support from Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero, the Almond Board of California, Pistachio Growers and Borges S.A; serving on the board of and receiving grant support through his institution from the International Nut and Dried Foundation; and personal fees from Instituto Danone; Serving in the Board of Danone Institute International.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Potential mechanisms by which tree nuts and peanuts reduce atherogenic lipid/lipoprotein profile. A plain arrow indicates a strong level of evidence to support the effect, whereas a dashed arrow indicates a lower level of evidence. LDL, low density lipoprotein; HDL, high density lipoprotein.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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