The findings reinforce the benefits of replacing high-carbohydrate snacks with tree nuts
A recent study published in Clinical Nutrition investigated the effects of tree nut snack consumption on plasma and adipose tissue fatty acid profiles in young adults.
The study was a randomized parallel-arm intervention trial that included 84 men and women between the ages of 22 and 36 years, most of whom were either overweight or obese and had at least one risk factor for metabolic syndrome at baseline. Participants ate 33.5 grams (one handful) of mixed unsalted tree nuts —almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts— or a carbohydrate-rich snack twice daily. Both snacks provided the same number of calories, protein, fiber, and sodium and were part of a seven-day weight maintenance menu that repeated throughout the 16-week study.
The findings showed that replacing high-carbohydrate snacks with tree nuts increased mono- and polyunsaturated fat intakes, resulting in a ninefold greater dietary unsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio. The tree nut group also had a significantly greater improvement in plasma fatty acid profiles. Moreover, positive changes in the expression of 13 genes in the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue —all of which can impact the risk of developing metabolic syndrome— were seen in participants consuming tree nuts, but not significantly in those eating the high-carbohydrate snack. These results further support replacing daily snacks with tree nuts as an effective strategy to minimize risk for chronic cardiometabolic disease.
This study was funded by the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation (INC NREF).
Widmer, A., Lillegard, K., Wood, K., Robles, M., Fan, R., Ye, F., … & Silver, H. J. (2025). Consumption of Tree Nuts as Snacks Stimulates Changes in Plasma Fatty Acid Profiles and Adipose Tissue Gene Expression in Young Adults at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome. Clinical Nutrition, 48, 25-34.