Shin, H.R., J. Kim, S. Song, 2024. Association between nut consumption and mortality risk: a 20-year cohort study in Korea with a stratified analysis by health-related variables. Nutr J. 23,113. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-024-01019-y
Background: Although nuts are a well-known healthy food group, the relationship between nut consumption and mortality remains unclear, particularly among Asians. This prospective cohort study examined the association between nut consumption and the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality in Korean adults. Methods: Data from two cohorts (the Ansan-Ansung and Health-Examinees) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were used. A total of 114,140 individuals aged 40–79 years were included in the data analyses. Nut consumption was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and categorized into four groups: non-consumers, less than 1 serving/week, 1–2 servings/week, and 2 or more servings/week (one serving was 15g of nuts). Mortality outcomes were determined based on the 2001–2021 death records from Statistics Korea. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality across nut consumption categories. A stratified subgroup analysis by health-related variables was also performed. Results: During a mean follow-up of 12.3 years, 4,559 deaths were recorded. After adjusting for covariates, the HR for all-cause mortality was 0.877 (95% CI = 0.772–0.996, p for trend = 0.006) in individuals with a nut consumption of 2 or more servings/week compared with that in non-consumers. Multivariable HRs for CVD mortality were 0.800 (95% CI = 0.681–0.939) in individuals consuming less than 1 serving/week, 0.656 (95% CI = 0.469–0.918) in those consuming 1–2 servings/week, and 1.009 (95% CI = 0.756–1.347) in those consuming 2 or more servings/week compared with that in non-consumers (p for trend = 0.080). No association was observed between nut consumption and cancer mortality. Stratified analysis identified significant interactions in the association between nut consumption and all-cause mortality by age, body mass index, and physical activity. Conclusions: Nut consumption was linearly associated with the reduced risk of all-cause mortality and showed a non-linear dose-response relationship with CVD mortality in Koreans, but had no association with cancer mortality.
Nijssen, K.M., R.P. Mensink, J. Plat, D. Ivanov, H. Preissl, P.J. Joris, 2024. Mixed nut consumption improves brain insulin sensitivity: a randomized, single-blinded, controlled, crossover trial in older adults with overweight or obesity. Am J Clin Nutr. 119(2):314-323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.12.010
Background: Improving brain insulin sensitivity, which can be assessed by measuring regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) responses to intranasal insulin, may prevent age-related metabolic and cognitive diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate longer-term effects of mixed nuts on brain insulin sensitivity in older individuals with overweight/obesity. Methods: In a randomized, single-blinded, controlled, crossover trial, 28 healthy adults (mean ± standard deviation: 65 ± 3 years; body mass index: 27.9 ± 2.3 kg/m2) received either daily 60-g mixed nuts (15 g of walnuts, pistachio, cashew, and hazelnuts) or no nuts (control) for 16 weeks, separated by an 8-week washout period. Throughout the study, participants were instructed to adhere to the Dutch food-based dietary guidelines. During follow-up, brain insulin action was assessed by quantifying acute effects of intranasal insulin on regional CBF using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, effects on peripheral insulin sensitivity (oral glucose tolerance test), intrahepatic lipids, and cardiometabolic risk markers were assessed. Results: Body weight and composition did not change. Compared with control, mixed nut consumption improved regional brain insulin action in 5 clusters located in the left (difference in CBF responses to intranasal insulin: -4.5 ± 4.7 mL/100 g/min; P < 0.001; -4.6 ± 4.8 mL/100 g/min; P < 0.001; and -4.3 ± 3.6 mL/100 g/min; P = 0.007) and right occipital lobes (-4.3 ± 5.6 mL/100 g/min; and -3.9 ± 4.9 mL/100 g/min; P = 0.028). A fifth cluster was part of the left frontal lobe (-5.0 ± 4.6 mL/100 g/min; P < 0.001). Peripheral insulin sensitivity was not affected. Intrahepatic lipid content (-0.7%-point; 95% CI: -1.3%-point to -0.1%-point; P = 0.027), serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (-0.24 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.44 to -0.04 mmol/L; P = 0.019), and systolic blood pressure (-5 mm Hg; 95% CI: -8 to -1 mm Hg; P = 0.006) were lower after the mixed nut intervention. Conclusions: Longer-term mixed nut consumption affected insulin action in brain regions involved in the modulation of metabolic and cognitive processes in older adults with overweight/obesity. Intrahepatic lipid content and different cardiometabolic risk markers also improved, but peripheral insulin sensitivity was not affected.
Nijssen, K.M.R., M.A. Chavez-Alfaro, P.J. Joris, J. Plat, R.P. Mensink, 2024. Effects of longer-term mixed nut consumption on lipoprotein particle concentrations in older adults with overweight or obesity. Nutrients. 17(1):8. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17010008
Background: Recently, we reported that longer-term mixed nut intake significantly reduced serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, but these markers may not fully capture lipoprotein-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Objectives: This randomized, controlled, single-blinded, crossover trial in older adults with overweight or obesity examined the effects of longer-term mixed nut consumption on lipoprotein particle size, number, and lipid distribution. Methods: Twenty-eight participants (aged 65 ±3years; BMI 27.9 ± 2.3 kg/m2) completed two 16-week periods (control [no nuts] vs. mixed nuts (60 g/day: 15g of walnuts, pistachios, cashews, and hazelnuts), separated by an 8-week washout. Plasma lipoprotein particle numbers, sizes, and lipid distributions across subclasses were analyzed using high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results: Mixed nut consumption significantly reduced Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) concentrations (−0.07 g/L; p = 0.009), total cholesterol (−0.27 mmol/L; p = 0.047), non-HDL cholesterol (−0.28 mmol/L; p = 0.022), and total triacylglycerol (TAG) (−0.27 mmol/L; p = 0.008). Total very large-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle numbers decreased by 24 nmol/L (p < 0.001), with reductions observed across all VLDL subclasses. Total LDL particle numbers (p = 0.044), specifically intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) (p = 0.002) and large LDL particles (p = 0.015), were also reduced, while HDL particle numbers and sizes were unaffected. The mixed nut intervention significantly reduced cholesterol concentrations across all VLDL subclasses and IDL (all p < 0.01), with no changes in LDL or HDL subclasses. TAG concentrations showed reductions across all lipoprotein subclasses (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Longer-term mixed nut consumption may lower CVD risk in older adults and favorable shifts in ApoB-containing lipoprotein subclasses towards a less atherogenic profile.
Trumbo, P.R., J. Ard, F. Bellisle, A. Drewnowski, J.A. Gilbert, R. Kleinman, A. Misra, J. Sievenpiper, M. Tahiri, K.E. Watson, J. Hill, 2024. Perspective: current scientific evidence and research strategies in the role of almonds in cardiometabolic health. Curr Dev Nutr. 9(1):104516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104516.
Almonds are consumed by individuals around the world. Because almonds are rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, and fiber, a significant amount of research has been conducted on their role in affecting various cardiometabolic endpoints (body weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels, and glycemic response). The most current meta-analyses on almond consumption and various health-related endpoints suggest that almond consumption does not result in weight gain and results in small reductions in LDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure, as well as improved glycemic responses in certain populations (i.e. Asian Indians). A number of research gaps on almond consumption and cardiometabolic health were identified that should be addressed to further understand their role in the various cardiometabolic endpoints, including the mechanisms of action interactions with the microbiome with regular consumption and their role as part of a healthy dietary pattern for both individuals and the general population.
