Significant heterogeneity was not observed by nut type or other factors .
Tree nut intake  lowers total cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , ApoB , and triglycerides .
The major determinant of cholesterol lowering appears to be nut dose rather than nut type .
BACKGROUND The effects of nuts on major cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors , including dose-responses and potential heterogeneity by nut type or phytosterol content , are not well established .
OBJECTIVES We examined the effects of tree nuts ( walnuts , pistachios , macadamia nuts , pecans , cashews , almonds , hazelnuts , and Brazil nuts ) on blood lipids [ total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein , and triglycerides ] , lipoproteins [ apolipoprotein A1 , apolipoprotein B ( ApoB ) , and apolipoprotein B100 ] , blood pressure , and inflammation ( C-reactive protein ) in adults aged ≥18 y without prevalent CVD .
Pistachio Nuts Reduce Triglycerides and Body Weight by Comparison to Refined Carbohydrate Snack in Obese Subjects on a 12-Week Weight Loss Program
Objective : There is a widely held view that , due to high fat content , snacking on nuts will lead to weight gain , ultimately causing unhealthy changes in lipid profiles . This study is design ed to study the effects of pistachio snack consumption on body weight and lipid levels in obese participants under real-world conditions . Methods : Participants were r and omly assigned to consume 1 of 2 isocaloric weight reduction diets for 12 weeks , with each providing 500 cal per day less than resting metabolic rate . Each diet included an afternoon snack of either 53 g ( 240 cal ) of salted pistachios ( n = 31 ) or 56 g of salted pretzels ( 220 cal ; n = 28 ) . Results : Both groups lost weight during the 12-week study ( time trend , p < 0.001 ) , but there were significant differences in the changes in body mass index between the pretzel and pistachio groups ( pistachio , 30.1 ± 0.4 to 28.8 ± 0.4 vs. pretzel , 30.9 ± 0.4 to 30.3 ± 0.5 ) . At 6 and 12 weeks , triglycerides were significantly lower in the pistachio group compared with the pretzel group ( 88.04 ± 9.80 mg/dL vs. 144.56 ± 18.86 mg/dL , p = 0.01 at 6 weeks and 88.10 ± 6.78 mg/dL vs. 132.15 ± 16.76 mg/dL , p = 0.02 at 12 weeks ) , and there was a time trend difference between the 2 groups over the 12 weeks ( p < 0.01 ) . There were no significant differences in total cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , insulin , or glucose between the 2 groups . Conclusion : Pistachios can be consumed as a portion-controlled snack for individuals restricting calories to lose weight without concern that pistachios will cause weight gain . By comparison to refined carbohydrate snacks such as pretzels , pistachios may have beneficial effects on triglycerides as well
Significant heterogeneity was not observed by nut type or other factors .
Tree nut intake  lowers total cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , ApoB , and triglycerides .
The major determinant of cholesterol lowering appears to be nut dose rather than nut type .
BACKGROUND The effects of nuts on major cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors , including dose-responses and potential heterogeneity by nut type or phytosterol content , are not well established .
OBJECTIVES We examined the effects of tree nuts ( walnuts , pistachios , macadamia nuts , pecans , cashews , almonds , hazelnuts , and Brazil nuts ) on blood lipids [ total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein , and triglycerides ] , lipoproteins [ apolipoprotein A1 , apolipoprotein B ( ApoB ) , and apolipoprotein B100 ] , blood pressure , and inflammation ( C-reactive protein ) in adults aged ≥18 y without prevalent CVD .