INC: Nut Consumption is Associated with a Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer and All-Cause Mortality

LONDON, March 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

In a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies published in BMC Medicine[1], researchers looked at the association of nut consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), total cancer, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in adults. Higher nut intake (15-20 g/day or 5-6 servings/week) was associated with reduced risk of CVD, total cancer and all-cause mortality. Both tree nut and peanut consumption resulted in similar findings.

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An international team from Norway, UK and USA analyzed twenty studies through a meta-analysis, providing the most up-to-date summary estimates of the association between nut intake and CVD, cancer, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. The findings were consistent with previous published reviews and meta-analyses.

The results provide further evidence that higher nut intake may help reduce the risk of CVD, total cancer and all-cause mortality.

More recently, in a clinical trial published in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders[2], a team of researchers from India examined the effects of daily consumption of almonds for 24 weeks among type-2 diabetes patients. The incorporation of almonds in a well-balanced diet was associated with multiple beneficial effects on glycemic and CVD risk factors. The study found significant improvement in mean values of waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, serum triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, among other parameters.

According to the World Health Organization, CVD was the leading cause of noncommunicable disease (NCD) deaths in 2012 and was responsible for 17.5 million deaths, or 46% of NCD deaths[3].

About the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council 

INC members include more than 700 nut and dried fruit sector companies from over 70 countries. INC is the leading international organization regarding nuts and dried fruits health, nutrition, statistics, food safety, international standards and regulations.

References

1. Aune, D., Keum, N., Giovannucci, E., Fadnes, L. T., Boffetta, P., Greenwood, D. C., ... & Norat, T. (2016). Nut consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMC medicine, 14(1), 207.

2. Gulati, S., Misra, A., & Pandey, R. M. (2017). Effect of Almond Supplementation on Glycemia and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Asian Indians in North India with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 24-Week Study. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders.

3. Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2014. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2014.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Francisco Montoya - INC - communications@nutfruit.org