Nutr Rev. 2001 Apr; 59(4): 103-11.

The effects of nuts on coronary heart disease risk.

Kris-Etherton PM, Zhao G, Binkoski AE, Coval SM, Etherton TD.

Department of Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA.

Epidemiologic studies have consistently demonstrated beneficial effects of nut consumption on coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity and mortality in different population groups. Clinical studies have reported total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering effects of heart-healthy diets that contain various nuts or legume peanuts. It is evident that the favorable fatty acid profile of nuts (high in unsaturated fatty acids and low in saturated fatty acids) contributes to cholesterol lowering and, hence, CHD risk reduction. Dietary fiber and other bioactive constituents in nuts may confer additional cardioprotective effects.