DAVIS, Calif.—Incorporating more tree nuts, such as almonds, cashews, pistachios and walnuts, may help ward off heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome by improving levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lowering levels of C-reactive protein, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Researchers at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center compared risk factors for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome of nut consumers versus those who did not consume nuts among 13,292 men and women participating in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES).
Tree nut consumption was associated with a 5% lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Participants who ate tree nuts also had a lower prevalence of four risk factors for metabolic syndrome, including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose (blood sugar) levels and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels.
"One of the more interesting findings was the fact that tree nut consumers had lower body weight, as well as lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference compared to non-consumers. The mean weight, BMI, and waist circumference were 4.19 pounds, 0.9kg/m2 and 0.83 inches lower in consumers than non-consumers, respectively," said lead author Carol O'Neil, PhD, MPH, RD, professor at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.
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