Effects of Longer-Term Mixed Nut Consumption on Lipoprotein Particle Concentrations in Older Adults with Overweight or Obesity
Background: Recently, we reported that longer-term mixed nut intake significantly reduced serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, but these markers may not fully capture lipoprotein-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Objectives: This randomized, controlled, single-blinded, crossover trial in older adults with overweight or obesity examined the effects of longer-term mixed nut consumption on lipoprotein particle size, number, and lipid distribution. Methods: Twenty-eight participants (aged 65 ± 3 years; BMI 27.9 ± 2.3 kg/m2) completed two 16-week periods (control [no nuts] vs. mixed nuts (60 g/day: 15 g of walnuts, pistachios, cashews, and hazelnuts), separated by an 8-week washout. Plasma lipoprotein particle numbers, sizes, and lipid distributions across subclasses were analyzed using high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results: Mixed nut consumption significantly reduced Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) concentrations (−0.07 g/L; p = 0.009), total cholesterol (−0.27 mmol/L; p = 0.047), non-HDL cholesterol (−0.28 mmol/L; p = 0.022), and total triacylglycerol (TAG) (−0.27 mmol/L; p = 0.008). Total very large-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle numbers decreased by 24 nmol/L (p < 0.001), with reductions observed across all VLDL subclasses. Total LDL particle numbers (p = 0.044), specifically intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) (p = 0.002) and large LDL particles (p = 0.015), were also reduced, while HDL particle numbers and sizes were unaffected. The mixed nut intervention significantly reduced cholesterol concentrations across all VLDL subclasses and IDL (all p < 0.01), with no changes in LDL or HDL subclasses. TAG concentrations showed reductions across all lipoprotein subclasses (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Longer-term mixed nut consumption may lower CVD risk in older adults and favorable shifts in apoB-containing lipoprotein subclasses towards a less atherogenic profile.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17010008
Study Shows Longer-Term Mixed Nut Consumption May Reduce Cardiovascular Risk in Older Adults
January 16, 2025.
This is the third scientific article to emerge from an INC-funded research project
Results from a study funded by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council have been published in the journal Nutrients.[1] The study showed that longer-term consumption of mixed nuts may lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in older adults with obesity or overweight, potentially aiding in the development of accessible dietary interventions to improve cardiovascular health in at-risk populations.
The newly published study builds on earlier research that showed consuming mixed nuts over a long-term period significantly reduced total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. It aimed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between nut consumption and lipoprotein-related CVD risk.
The study found that eating mixed nuts significantly improved blood lipid levels, creating a more heart-healthy profile, including changes in certain lipoprotein subclasses related to better heart health. The results provide deeper insights into how nuts can influence blood lipids.
Dr. Peter Joris and Dr. Kevin Nijssen from Maastricht University, Netherlands, stated, “Based on these results, we have concluded that incorporating mixed nuts into the diet may contribute to reduce the risk of CVD in older adults.”
The study was a randomized, controlled crossover trial that analyzed the effects of the daily consumption of mixed nuts on lipoprotein particle levels in older adults with obesity or overweight. Twenty-eight participants completed two 16-week phases: a control period with no nut consumption and an intervention period where they consumed 60 grams/day of mixed nuts (15 g each of walnuts, pistachios, cashews, and hazelnuts). The two phases were separated by an 8-week washout period. The investigators evaluated the effect of nut consumption on lipoprotein particle numbers, sizes, and lipid content across various lipoprotein subclasses using an advanced NMR metabolomics platform.
This marks the third article to emerge from an INC-funded study on the effects of long-term mixed nut consumption in older adults, following the publication of articles in Clinical Nutrition[2] and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.[3]
Press contact: press@nutfruit.org.
[1] Nijssen, K. M. R., Chavez-Alfaro, M. A., Joris, P. J., Plat, J., & Mensink, R. P. (2025). Effects of Longer-Term Mixed Nut Consumption on Lipoprotein Particle Concentrations in Older Adults with Overweight or Obesity. Nutrients, 17(1), 8.
[2] Nijssen, K. M. R., Mensink, R. P., Plat, J., & Joris, P. J. (2023). Longer-term mixed nut consumption improves brain vascular function and memory: A randomized, controlled crossover trial in older adults. Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 42(7), 1067–1075.
[3] Nijssen, K. M., Mensink, R. P., Plat, J., Ivanov, D., Preissl, H., & Joris, P. J. (2024). Mixed nut consumption improves brain insulin sensitivity: a randomized, single-blinded, controlled, crossover trial in older adults with overweight or obesity. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 119(2), 314–323.
Food Safety Update: January 2025
EU: Bisphenol A Banned in Food Contact Materials
In December 2024, the European Commission adopted a ban on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials, citing its potentially harmful health impact. BPA is a chemical substance used in the manufacture of certain plastics and resins.
EU: Plant Protection Products Update
In December 2024, the European Commission published a Commission Implementing Decision postponing the expiry date of N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DDET) for use in biocidal products of product-type 19 until January 31, 2027. This compound is currently undergoing evaluation by the European Chemicals Agency.
The Commission has also published the following draft maximum residue levels (MRLs) for cypermethrins:
| Substance | Commodity | MRL (mg(kg) |
| Cypermethrins(1) | Tree nuts | 0.05 |
| Stone fruits | 0.01 | |
| Table grapes | 0.01 | |
| Dates | 0.01 | |
| Figs | 0.01 | |
| Peanuts | 0.1 |
(1) Proposed date of publication: September 23, 2025. It shall enter into force 20 days after its publication and apply six months thereafter. More information
Peru: Specifications for Adhesives Used in Labels on Food Packaging and Containers
Peru has notified the World Trade Organization of a new specification on adhesives for self-adhesive labels on food packaging and containers. The rules outlined therein will enter into force in late April 2025.
Singapore: Food Safety and Security Bill Passes Parliament
The Food Safety and Security Bill (FSSB) was passed in the Parliament of Singapore on January 8, 2025. The FSSB seeks to consolidate and refresh existing food-related legislation, strengthen Singapore’s food safety regime to better protect consumers and public health, and keep pace with emerging challenges in safeguarding food security.
South Africa: Draft Regulations on Food Additives and Mycotoxins
South Africa has notified the World Trade Organization of a draft regulation on the use of food additives in foodstuffs. The draft aims to establish regulations (including maximum limits) for the use of food additives in a wide range of food products, including nuts and dried fruits.
South Africa has also notified the WTO of a draft regulation on maximum levels of mycotoxins in certain foodstuffs, including aflatoxins in nuts and dried fruits.
Labeling Update: January 2025
USA: FDA Releases Final Guidance Document on Food Allergens
On January 6, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a guidance document intended to answer the industry’s frequently asked questions about food allergens, including food allergen labeling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The new guidance includes a revised list of tree nuts that the FDA considers to be major food allergens: almond, black walnut, Brazil nut, California walnut, cashew, filbert/hazelnut, heartnut/Japanese walnut, macadamia nut/Bush nut, pecan, pine nut/pinon nut, pistachio, and English and Persian walnut. Nuts removed from the list of tree nuts include beech nut, butternut, chestnut, chinquapin, coconut, gingko nut, hickory nut, pili nut, and shea nut.
The document contains questions and answers about food allergen labeling requirements, including the labeling of tree nuts. The guidance also addresses certain specific packing and labeling situations, such as individual units within a multiunit package. Several questions and answers have been revised to update and clarify information from previous editions.
This final guidance replaces both the draft and final guidance documents on food allergen labeling that were issued in November 2022.
USA: Request for Information on Food Date Labeling
In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a joint request for information about food date labeling, which includes the usage of terms such as “Sell By,” “Use By” and “Best By.” The request seeks to collect information on industry practices and preferences for date labeling, research results on consumer perceptions of date labeling, and any impact date labeling may have on food waste and grocery costs. The deadline to submit comments is February 3, 2025.
Marketing Orders: January 2025
USA: Increased Assessment Rate on Walnuts Grown in California
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule increasing the assessment rate established for 2024-2025 and subsequent marketing years from US$0.011 to US$0.0125 per in-shell pound of California walnuts.
Sustainability Update: January 2025
Australia: AU$2 Million in Funding Awarded to Optimize Hazelnut Production
Charles Sturt University is leading a five-year AU$2 million research program funded by AgriFutures Australia to optimize hazelnut production in Australia. The research program will support the long-term growth and competitive advantage of the Australian hazelnut industry by developing quality standards and an industry framework, and drive growth through innovation and communication.
EU: Council Formally Adopts Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
On December 16, 2024, the Council formally adopted the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, marking the final step in the legislative procedure. The regulation covers the full lifecycle of packaging, restricting certain types of single-use packaging and requiring economic operators to minimize the packaging used.
Given the enormous interest in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the European Commission organized a webinar in December on the content of the Regulation, the implementation steps, and answers to frequently asked questions. Slides from the webinar and a recording of the event are available here.
EU: Forced Labor Ban Enters Into Force
On December 12, 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/3015, banning products made with forced labor from the EU market, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. It entered into force the day after its publication and will apply from December 14, 2027.
Spain: Strategic Plan to Ensure Long-Term Viability of Pistachio Sector
In December 2024, the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, which produces more than half of Spain’s pistachios, unveiled its five-year Strategic Plan for Pistachios. This initiative aims to build a robust, well-structured, and sustainable pistachio industry for the long term. The plan focuses on five key areas: sector integration and scaling, enhancing processing capacity, increasing the value of the product, fostering research and innovation, and creating an interprofessional agri-food organization for pistachios.
USA: Grant Awarded for Research on Sustainable Almond Production
The University of California, Davis has been awarded nearly US$1 million in funding to advance climate-smart agriculture adoption for perennial crops like almonds that are grown in semi-arid environments. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research provided half of the funds, with Almond Board of California, Ceres AI, TriNut Farm Management Inc., UC Davis, and the UC Merced providing matching funds.
Latest Trade News and Agreements: January 2025
China: Draft Regulation on Overseas Food Producer Registration
China has published a notice requesting public comments on a draft regulation that aims to update the Regulations on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Producers of Imported Food (Decree 248), implemented in 2022, by expanding the process by which some countries can submit facility registrations. For more information in English, see the USDA GAIN Report on this topic.
EFTA-Thailand: Free Trade Negotiations Completed
In late 2024, the European Free Trade Association member states —Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland— concluded negotiations with Thailand towards an ambitious and broad-based free trade agreement. The parties are set to formally sign the agreement in late January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
EU-Mercosur: Political Agreement Reached on Free Trade
In December 2024, the European Commission President and her counterparts from four Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay) finalized negotiations for an EU-Mercosur trade deal, marking the first step towards formally concluding the agreement. The Commission published texts outlining the trade-related components of the agreement, as well as a document explaining what is new compared to the 2019 agreement.
EU: Updated List of Control Bodies for Organics
The European Commission has published Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3121, recognizing certain control bodies as competent to carry out controls and issue organic certificates in third countries for the purpose of importing organic products into the EU.
EU: Revised Plant Health Regulation
In November 2024, the Council amended the basic legal framework of EU plant health policy by adopting Regulation 2024/3115. This new regulation aims to strengthen the EU's response to pest outbreaks. A new plant health emergency team will provide support during pest outbreaks within the EU. The regulation also seeks to promote increased digitalization and extends the duration of multiannual survey programs.
India: Draft Plant Quarantine Orders
India has notified the World Trade Organization of draft plant quarantine orders seeking to further liberalize provisions governing the import of dried prunes from France and macadamias from Australia.
Kenya: Agriculture Authority Continues to Withhold Export Certifications
Kenyan macadamia farmers and dealers say the Kenyan Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has declined to issue the necessary certifications for exporters despite a court order allowing exports to proceed, as reported by The Standard. In November, Kenya’s high court temporarily suspended the implementation of a directive, issued in October by the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, that banned the harvesting and export of raw macadamia nuts.
Kenya: Code of Practice for Annual Nut and Oilseed Crops
Kenya has notified the World Trade Organization of a draft standard entitled Nuts and Oil Crops industry – Code of practice. Part 2: Annual nuts and oilseed crops. This document specifies the requirements essential for legal compliance and the responsible and safe production of annual nuts (including peanuts) and oilseed crops.
Senegal: Peanut Exports Suspended for 2024/25 Season
As reported by APA News, Senegal’s Ministry of Agriculture announced the suspension of peanut seed exports for the 2024/25 campaign, seeking to preserve national supplies and support local processors.
UAE-New Zealand: Free Trade Agreement Signed
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand was formally signed on January 14, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. The agreement is expected to come into force later this year.
Uganda: Draft Standards on Dried Fruits
Uganda has notified the World Trade Organization of the following Draft Uganda Standards:
Dried fruits — Specification, which sets out requirements, sampling and test methods for dried fruits intended for direct human consumption or for other use in the food industry.
Production, handling and processing of dried fruits and vegetables — Code of practice, which applies to fruits and vegetables that have been dried by natural or artificial means or a combination of both.
UK: Safety and Security Declarations Required for All EU Imports
As of January 31, 2025, safety and security declarations will be required for all imports into Great Britain from the EU. The UK Government has published a guidance document on these changes.
Water use dynamics of almond and pistachio crops in the Mediterranean region amid climate change
Almond and pistachio are socio-economically significant tree crops grown in California’s San Joaquin Valley (SJV). Continuing commercial production with efficient irrigation planning under changing climate requires an extensive understanding of their biophysical interactions such as altered phenology, biomass accumulation, transpiration, and other processes. This study examines the phenology and water use (ETc) responses of almonds and pistachios under two scenarios: climate change (warming-only) and climate change with elevated atmospheric CO2 (eCO2), using an agrohydrological model, VIC-CropSyst. The model was calibrated and validated using observations on crop evapotranspiration. The simulated crop responses to warming-only and eCO2 revealed compounding effects on chill accumulation, phenology, biomass accumulation, and eventually on crop water use. The active growth period from bud break to dormancy was prolonged by 10–25 days for both crops under simulated Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) scenarios compared to the baseline. The annual ETc under warming-only scenarios showed a slight increase for almonds (1 % under RCP4.5 and 3 % under RCP8.5) and a higher increase for pistachios (8 % under both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) by the mid-21st century. These increases in ETc translate to 260 (almonds) and 180 (pistachios) million m3/year of additional water for irrigation in the absence of eCO2 effects. The eCO2 is expected to moderately reduce irrigation demand by 35 million m3/year for almonds and increase by 140 million m3/year for pistachios over the baseline. The outcomes can guide decision-makers to anticipate potential threats and concoct adaptive strategies by managing irrigation and choosing suitable cultivars or alternate crops.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.109219
Intercropping alfalfa during almond orchard establishment reduces winter soil nitrogen and water losses, provides on‐farm revenue
The ecosystem benefits linked to intercropping and diversified agroecosystems is an area with increasing research interest, particularly in sustainable food production and farm resilience to extreme climate variability. Interrow cropping of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb] orchards during the 3–4 non-bearing, establishment years has potential to advance sustainable intensification in agricultural regions such as the Central Valley of California. In this study we evaluated ecosystem benefits linked to this intercropped agroecosystem in contrast to conventional almond systems with interrow spaces maintained bare. From Winter 2023 to Spring 2024 (157 days), we modeled soil hydrological properties (HYDRUS-1D) and quantified soil nitrogen using various approaches. Simulation from HYDRUS revealed that winter soil evaporative loss was most substantial for a flood-irrigated bare-soil control (208.1 mm) and lowest for the alfalfa intercropped interrow (59.2 mm). Estimated soil water storage was lowest in the alfalfa intercropped interrow and highest for bare-soil controls, indicating continuous plant water uptake throughout the winter period when almond trees are dormant. Winter soil N loss measured using suction lysimeters, ion exchange soil resins traps, and soil sampling (0–120 cm) indicated that N leaching was greatest in the bare-soil interrow spaces and lowest for alfalfa intercropped treatment. The utilization of free winter inputs, such as rainwater and slow-release mineralized N from dairy manure compost, translated to a 2.22 tonne ha−1 alfalfa yield and equated to a $500 ha−1 gross revenue for the first alfalfa cutting. Overall, the preliminary ecosystem benefits observed in this unique alfalfa–almond intercropped agroecosystem were attributed to augmentation in farm resource use efficiency and revenues generated during the winter season.
https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70024
Study Finds Premeal Pistachio Supplementation Improves Cardiometabolic Profile in Patients With Prediabetes
The study is among the first to investigate these effects in Asian Indians
A recent randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Nutrition sought to evaluate the effect of premeal pistachio supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors in Asian Indian adults with prediabetes.
A total of 120 participants with prediabetes were recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group ate 30 grams of pistachios before breakfast and another 30 grams before dinner for 12 weeks, while the control group followed a routine diet that excluded nuts. Researchers assessed the effect of pistachio supplementation on cardiovascular risk markers, including blood sugar (glycemic) indicators.
The findings showed that this program of premeal pistachio supplementation significantly improved blood sugar control and lowered post-meal blood glucose levels in Asian Indians with prediabetes, without leading to weight gain. This study is among the first to investigate these effects in Asian Indians. The findings suggest that preloading meals with pistachios could promote satiety and help stall patients’ progression from prediabetes to diabetes.
The study was led by Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in Chennai, India, in collaboration with researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA, including Dr. Walter Willett, Dr. Frank Hu, and Dr. Shilpa N. Bhupathiraju, as well as Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó from Rovira i Virgili University, Spain. This study was supported by the American Pistachio Growers.
Ashwini, K., Abirami, K., Gayathri, R., Sasikala, S., Sudha, V., Shobana, S., Jeevan, R. G., Krishnaswamy, K., Deepika, V., Rajalakshmi, M., Bai R, M. R., Parkavi, K., Padmavathi, S., Anjana, R. M., Unnikrishnan, R., Hu, F. B., Willett, W. C., Salas-Salvadó, J., Bhupathiraju, S. N., & Mohan, V. (2025). Effect of Premeal Pistachio Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Asian Indian Adults with Prediabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Nutrition, S0022-3166(24)01231-8. Advance online publication.