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 .
Effect of pistachio diet on lipid parameters, endothelial function, inflammation, and oxidative status: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE Recent studies have suggested that nuts have favorable effects beyond lipid lowering . We aim ed to investigate effect of the Antep pistachio ( Pistacia vera L. ) on blood glucose , lipid parameters , endothelial function , inflammation , and oxidation in healthy young men living in a controlled environment . METHODS A Mediterranean diet was administered to normolipidemic 32 healthy young men ( mean age 22 y , range 21 - 24 ) for 4 wk . After 4 wk , participants continued to receive the Mediterranean diet but pistachio was added for 4 wk by replacing the monounsaturated fat content constituting approximately 20 % of daily caloric intake . Fasting blood sample s and brachial endothelial function measurements were performed at baseline and after each diet . RESULTS Compared with the Mediterranean diet , the pistachio diet decreased glucose ( P<0.001 , -8.8+/-8.5 % ) , low-density lipoprotein ( P<0.001 , -23.2+/-11.9 % ) , total cholesterol ( P<0.001 , -21.2+/-9.9 % ) , and triacylglycerol ( P=0.008 , -13.8+/-33.8 % ) significantly and high-density lipoprotein ( P=0.069 , -3.1+/-11.7 % ) non-significantly . Total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratios decreased significantly ( P<0.001 for both ) . The pistachio diet significantly improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation ( P=0.002 , 30 % relative increase ) , decreased serum interleukin-6 , total oxidant status , lipid hydroperoxide , and malondialdehyde and increased superoxide dismutase ( P<0.001 for all ) , whereas there was no significant change in C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels . CONCLUSION In this trial , we demonstrated that a pistachio diet improved blood glucose level , endothelial function , and some indices of inflammation and oxidative status in healthy young men . These findings are in accordance with the idea that nuts , in particular pistachio nuts , have favorable effects beyond lipid lowering that deserve to be evaluated with prospect i ve follow-up studies
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 .