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 .
Cocoa, Hazelnuts, Sterols and Soluble Fiber Cream Reduces Lipids and Inflammation Biomarkers in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Background Cocoa , mixed with other food ingredients , intake can have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) biomarkers . We compared the effects of 4 cocoa cream products on some of these biomarkers . Methods and Findings In this multi-centered , r and omized , controlled , double-blind , parallel trial , volunteers ( n = 113 ; age range : 43–65 years ) who were pre-hypertensive , stage-1 hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic received one of 4 cocoa cream products ( 13 g/unit ; 1 g cocoa/unit , 6 units/d ; 465 Kcal/d ) added to a low saturated fat diet for 4 weeks . The groups were : A ) ( n = 28 ) , cocoa cream considered as control ; B ) ( n = 28 ) , cocoa+hazelnut cream ( 30 g/d hazelnuts ) ; C ) ( n = 30 ) , cocoa+hazelnuts+phytosterols ( 2 g/d ) ; and D ) ( n = 27 ) , cocoa+hazelnuts+phytosterols+soluble fiber ( 20 g/d ) the patented “ LMN product ” . Primary outcome measures were BP , LDL-c , apolipoprotein B-100 ( Apo B ) , ApoB/ApoA ratio , oxidized LDL ( oxLDL ) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein ( hsCRP ) determined at baseline and post-cocoa cream product intake . Statistical analysis used was ANCOVA or mixed models ( in case of repeated measurements ) , with baseline observation included as a covariate . After 4 weeks , compared to product A , product C reduced LDL-c by 11.2 % , Apo B by 8.1 % and ApoB/ApoA ratio by 7.8 % ( P = 0.01 ) . LMN  decreased LDL-c by 9.2 % , Apo B-100 by 8.5 % , ApoB/ApoA ratio by 10.5 % , hsCRP by 33.4 % and oxLDL by 5.9 % ( P = 0.01 ) . Surprisingly , even “ control ” product A reduced systolic BP ( −7.89 mmHg ; 95%CI : −11.45 to −4.3 ) and diastolic BP ( −5.54 mmHg ; 95%CI : −7.79 to −3.29 ) . The BP reductions were similar with the other 3 products . Limitations of the study are that the trial period was relatively short and that a better “ BP control ” product would have been preferable . Conclusion The creams ( particularly the LMN ) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in addition to lowering LDL-c , Apo B and ApoB/ApoA ratio . Thus , the soluble fiber effects amplified with sterols ( as contained in the cocoa creams ) provide new dietary therapeutic perspectives . Trial Registration Clinical trials.gov
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 .