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Studies from a randomized controlled trial reveal walnuts’ ability to prevent major risk factors for heart disease, he says, “people who regularly consume walnuts may have a lower risk of heart disease than those who don’t eat.”
In the study, conducted by Dr Emilio Ros of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, in collaboration with the Loma Linda University, more than 600 healthy elderly people consumed 30 to 60 grams of nuts per day as part of their typical diet or followed their standard (nut-free) diet for two years.
Those who consumed walnuts experienced a significant reduction in inflammation, as measured by the concentration of known inflammatory markers in their blood, which were reduced by up to 11.5 percent.
Of the 10 known inflammatory markers measured in the study, six were significantly reduced on the walnut diet, including interleukin-1b, a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine whose drug inactivation was strongly associated with reduced rates of coronary heart disease.
The research was part of the Walnuts and Healthy Aging (WAHA) study, the largest and longest-running study to date that explores the benefits of daily walnut consumption. The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
The conclusion of the study is that the anti-inflammatory effects of walnuts provide a mechanistic explanation for the reduction of cardiovascular disease in addition to lowering cholesterol.
“Acute inflammation is a physiological process due to the activation of the immune system by injury such as trauma or infection and is an important defense of the body,” said Dr. Emilio Ros, principal investigator of the study.
“Short-term inflammation helps us heal wounds and fight infections, but inflammation that persists over time (chronic), caused by factors such as poor diet, obesity, stress and hypertension, is harmful instead of healing, particularly when it comes to cardiovascular health. The results of this study suggest that walnuts are a food that can reduce chronic inflammation, which could help reduce the risk of heart disease “- a condition a which we become more susceptible to as we age, “Ros added.
Chronic inflammation is a critical factor in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque or “hardening” of the arteries, the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, the severity of atherosclerosis largely depends on chronic inflammation, and changes in diet and lifestyle are key to mitigating this process.
Although existing scientific evidence establishes walnuts as a heart-healthy food1, researchers continue to study the “how” and “why” behind walnuts’ cardiovascular benefits. According to Dr. Ros, “walnuts have an optimal mix of essential nutrients such as omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA (2.5 g / oz) and other highly bioactive components such as polyphenols2, which likely play a role in their anti-inflammatory effect. and other health benefits. “
The study findings were also reinforced by an editorial in the same publication titled “Ideal Dietary Patterns and Foods to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: Beware of Their Anti-Inflammatory Potential,” which concludes that better understanding of health protection mechanisms by different foods and diets, mainly their anti-inflammatory properties, should inform healthier food choices.
While these results are promising, the research has limitations. The study participants were older adults who lived healthy and free with the ability to eat a variety of other foods besides nuts. Furthermore, further investigations are needed in more diverse and disadvantaged populations.
(This story was published by a branch agency with no text changes.)
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