Is mixed nuts consumption beneficial to individuals with overweight, obesity?

For individuals with overweight or obesity, eating mixed nuts appears to help lower body fat without significant changes in body weight or body mass index (BMI), as reported in a study. Furthermore, there is no significant effect on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]).

The study included 29 participants with overweight or obesity (BMI 25–40 kg/m²). They were randomly assigned to consume either 42.5 g/day of mixed nuts or 69 g/day isocaloric pretzels for 16 weeks. Mixed nuts comprised cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, and peanuts.

Researchers collected blood samples from the participants at baseline, week 8, and week 16. These samples were then analysed for total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, Lp(a), inflammation markers, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and liver function enzymes.

Results showed that at the end of the intervention, the mixed nut and isocaloric pretzel groups did not significantly differ in terms of the levels of TC, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Lp(a), or liver function enzymes.

Of note, participants in the mixed nuts groups had significantly lower body fat percentage and diastolic blood pressure but higher adiponectin levels compared with those in the isocaloric pretzel group (all p≤0.05).

Finally, a decreasing trend of inflammation markers (C-reactive protein [CRP] and 8-oxo-deoxyguanosis [8-oxodG]) and an increasing trend in total antioxidant capacity were observed following mixed nut consumption.

Additional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to establish the changing trends of CRP, 8-oxodG, and total antioxidant capacity.