A study has been published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, that examines the long-term association of walnut, other nut, and no nut consumption with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The researchers analyzed a total of 3,092 young adults who were enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. In the CARDIA study, dietary intake including walnuts and other nuts was assessed 3 times over 20 years and CVD risk factors were also measured at several exams. With this data available, the researchers looked at how walnut, other nut, and no nut consumption was associated with CVD risk factors over 30 years of follow-ups. The study showed that walnut and other nut consumption was associated with better CVD risk factors and diet quality, which aligns with the 2020-2025 US Dietary Guidelines recommendation to consume nut as part of a healthy diet.
Yi, S. Y., Steffen, L. M., Zhou, X., Shikany, J. M., & Jacobs Jr, D. R. (2022). Association of nut consumption with CVD risk factors in young to middle-aged adults: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 32(10), 2321-2329.