The effect of nut consumption on markers of inflammation and endothelial function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Objectives

To examine the effect of nut consumption on inflammatory biomarkers and endothelial function.

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

MEDLINE, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (all years to 13 January 2017).

Eligibility criteria

Randomised controlled trials (with a duration of 3 weeks or more) or prospective cohort designs conducted in adults; studies assessing the effect of consumption of tree nuts or peanuts on C-reactive protein (CRP), adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion protein 1 and flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Data extraction and analysis

Relevant data were extracted for summary tables and analyses by two independent researchers. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to explore weighted mean differences (WMD) in change or final mean values for each outcome.

Results

A total of 32 studies (all randomised controlled trials) were included in the review. The effect of nut consumption on FMD was explored in nine strata from eight studies (involving 652 participants), with consumption of nuts resulting in significant improvements in FMD (WMD: 0.79%(95% CI 0.35 to 1.23)). Nut consumption resulted in small, non-significant differences in CRP (WMD: –0.01 mg/L (95% CI –0.06 to 0.03)) (26 strata from 25 studies), although sensitivity analyses suggest results for CRP may have been influenced by two individual studies. Small, non-significant differences were also found for other biomarkers of inflammation.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of nut consumption on inflammation and endothelial function found evidence for favourable effects on FMD, a measure of endothelial function. Non-significant changes in other biomarkers indicate a lack of consistent evidence for effects of nut consumption on inflammation. The findings of this analysis suggest a need for more research in this area, with a particular focus on randomised controlled trials.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016045424.

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