Using participants from the PREDIMED study, researchers evaluated how following the Mediterranean diet including extra-virgin olive oil or nuts, controlled platelet count, affected the risk of developing thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia, and the association between these changes and all-cause mortality. They found that in the participants, the platelet count increased over time, but was moderated by Mediterranean diet interventions. They also saw that thrombocytopenia was lower in those participants practicing a Mediterranean diet. Lastly, the researchers noted that thrombocytopenia was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality, but was reduced with the intervention of the Mediterranean diet.
In conclusion, consuming nuts as part of the Mediterranean diet may help regulate the platelet count in a healthy range and it may reduce platelet-related mortality in older adults with a high cardiovascular risk.