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 .
Almonds and almond oil have similar effects on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in healthy men and women.
Epidemiologic and clinical studies have shown that nut consumption is associated with favorable plasma lipid profiles and reduced cardiovascular risk . These effects may result from their high monounsaturated fat ( MUFA ) content but nuts contain constituents other than fatty acids that might be cardioprotective . We conducted a study to compare the effects of whole-almond vs. almond oil consumption on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in healthy men and women . Using a r and omized crossover trial design , 22 normolipemic men and women replaced half of their habitual fat ( approximately 14 % of approximately 29 % energy ) with either whole almonds ( WA ) or almond oil ( AO ) for 6-wk periods . Compliance was ascertained by monitoring dietary intake via biweekly 5-d food records , return of empty almond product packages and weekly meetings with a registered dietitian . Fat replacement with either WA and AO result ed in a 54 % increase in percentage of energy as MUFA with declines in both saturated fat and cholesterol intake and no significant changes in total energy , total or polyunsaturated fat intake . The effects of  WA  and  AO  on plasma lipids did not differ compared with baseline ; plasma triglyceride , total and LDL cholesterol significantly decreased , 14 , 4 and 6 % respectively , whereas HDL cholesterol increased 6 % . Neither treatment affected in vitro LDL oxidizability . We conclude that WA and AO do not differ in their beneficial effects on the plasma lipid variables measured and that this suggests that the favorable effect of almonds is mediated by components in the oil fraction of these nuts
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 .