Study of the Association Between Diets Containing Nuts and Seeds and the Degree of Abdominal Aortic Calcification

Abstract

Background: The association between nuts and seeds (nuts/seeds) consumption and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has been studied rarely, if at all. However, AAC is a good marker of CVD risk and premature mortality. Consequently, the present observational study was conducted. It had two primary purposes: (1) to determine the relationship between the consumption of nuts/seeds and AAC, and (2) to examine the effects of nine potential confounding variables on the relationship between nuts/seeds consumption and AAC. Methods: The sample included 2611 randomly selected adults representative of the United States population. Data were collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The outcome measure was AAC, divided into three categories: none, mild, and moderate/severe. Total consumption of nuts/seeds was assessed utilizing the mean of two diet recall assessments. Results: There was an inverse dose-response relationship between categories of nuts/seeds consumption and AAC, with age, sex, and race controlled (F = 6.4, p = 0.0233). After controlling for the demographic variables and physical activity, hypertension status, waist circumference, diabetes status, and smoking, the relationship between nuts/seeds and AAC was minimally affected (F = 6.0, p = 0.0268). Conclusions: In conclusion, nuts/seeds consumption appears to differentiate among adults with different levels of AAC. Control of many covariates had little impact on the associations. The recommendations of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines (2020-2025) that encourage the eating of nuts/seeds are supported by the results of this investigation.

Keywords: NHANES; artery; diet; dietary guidelines; endothelial; inflammation.