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 .
Effects of different forms of hazelnuts on blood lipids and α-tocopherol concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals
Background / Objectives : Diets high in nuts reduce cholesterol , probably due to their favorable lipid profile and other bioactive substances . However , the physical form of the nut may be important as the cell wall of intact nuts may limit the hypocholesterolemic effect of nuts by reducing lipid bioavailability . Therefore , we investigated the effects on blood lipids of incorporating three different forms of hazelnuts ( ground , sliced and whole ) into the usual diet . Subjects/ Methods : In a r and omized crossover study with three phases , 48 mildly hypercholesterolemic participants were asked to consume 30 g of ground , sliced or whole hazelnuts for 4 weeks . Body weight , plasma total cholesterol ( TC ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , triacylglycerol ( TAG ) , apolipoprotein ( apo ) A1 , apo B100 and α-tocopherol were measured at baseline and at the end of each dietary phase . Results : There were no significant differences in any outcome variable between the different forms of nuts ( all P⩾0.159 ) . However , compared with baseline , mean values at the end of each hazelnut intervention were significantly higher for HDL-C ( P=0.023 ) and α-tocopherol ( P=0.005 ) , and significantly lower for TC ( P<0.001 ) , LDL-C ( P<0.001 ) , TC : HDL-C ratio ( P<0.001 ) , apo B100 ( P=0.002 ) and apo B100:apo A1 ratio ( P<0.001 ) , with no significant difference in body weight ( P=0.813 ) . Conclusions : The ingestion of three different forms of hazelnuts equally improved the lipoprotein profile and α-tocopherol concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals . Hazelnuts can therefore be incorporated into the usual diet as a means of reducing cardiovascular disease risk
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 .