PRESS RELEASE
Eating nuts can help decrease between 30-50% the risk of coronary heart disease
Researchers have been studying the relation between nuts and cardiovascular disease since years ago. Many studies have proven that nut consumption is associated to a decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease and incidence of Metabolic Syndrome.
May 6th, 2016.-In the context of the No Diet Day, celebrated on May 6th, the INC (International Nut and Dried Fruit Council) would like to highlight the importance of eating in a healthy and balanced way on a daily basis, controlling our weight and maintaining a good health.
In 2010, it was estimated that 3-4 million adult deaths worldwide were attributable to obesity and overweight[1]. Since obesity has become a major public health problem and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, researchers have been studying to determine if nut consumption decreases the risk of obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, a cluster of multiple metabolic risk factors, shown to be associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.[2]
In1998, a continuing survey of food intake by individuals conducted by the US Department of Agriculture compared body mass index from nut eaters and non-nut eaters. This survey showed that young and adult eaters had a lower body mass index[3]. Also, a study conducted in 1999 by the School of Public Health in Loma Linda University concluded thatthere is a substantial and similar reduction in cardiovascular disease risk for individuals consuming nuts more than 5 times a week. Specifically, this study showed that people with either low or high body mass index who had consumed nuts by 4-5 times a week compared with the ones who did it 1 or less times per week had a reduction of 30-50% risk of coronary heart disease.[4]
Moreover, nut consumption has been associated with a lower incidence of Metabolic Syndrome, a cluster of multiple metabolicrisk factors, such as obesity, shown to be associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In fact, the SUN (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra) cohort concluded in 2012 that two or more servings of nuts per week (tree nuts and peanuts) were associated with lower incidence of Metabolic Syndrome.[5]Furthermore, in the PREDIMED trial a reversal of this syndrome was observed with Mediterranean diet enhanced with mixed tree nuts.
In 2014, a study of the Loma Linda California concluded that high consumers of tree nuts (16g/day) had lowest prevalence of obesity and also lower odds of Metabolic Syndrome. Specifically, the study showed that one serving of tree nuts per week (28g/week) was significantly associated with 7% less Metabolic Syndrome. [6]
In 2013 the PREDIMED intervention study (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) randomized trial with subjects at high cardiovascular risk provided evidence that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed tree nuts was associated with a 18% relative risk reduction of diabetes[7]and a relative risk reduction of 30% of major cardiovascular events.[8]
About the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council
The International Nut & Dried Fruit Council (INC) members include nearly 700 nut and dried fruit-sector companies from over 70 countries. INC is the international organization of reference regarding health, nutrition, statistics, food safety, international standards and regulations relating to nuts and dried fruit.
References
[1] Nf M, Fleaming T, Robinson, M, et al. Global, regional and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet. 2014; 384 (9945): 766-81.
[2]Gami AS, Witt BJ, Howard DE, Erwin PJ, Gami LA, et al. Metabolic Syndrome and risk of incident cardiovascular events and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. J Am Coll Cardiol (2007) 49:403-414.
[3]US Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service. Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals CSFFII 1994-96, 1998. (2000). CD-ROM.
[4]Fraser GE, Nut consumption, lipids, and risk of a coronary event. Clin Cardiol.1999; 22 (suppl): 11–5.
[5]Lursey PL, Steffen LM, Stevens J. Dietary intake and the development of the metabolic syndrome: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Circulation (2008). 117: 754-761.
[6]Jaceldo-Siegl K, Haddad E, Oda K, et al. Tree nuts are inversely associated with metabolic syndrome and obesity: the Adventist Health Study-2. PLOS ONE (2014) Jan.9;1;e85133.
[7] Salas-Salvado J, Bullo M , et al. Prevention of Diabetes With Mediterranean Diets. A Subgroup Analysis of a Randomized Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2014;160:1-10.
[8]Estruch R, et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. N Engl J Med. 2013; 368 (14): 1279-90.