[Nuts, cardio and cerebrovascular risks. A Spanish perspective].
Nuts have been included in human diets for ages. They are very appreciated and used as a central component of sweets and desserts. However, during the last decades, scientific interest in those foods has increased enormously as many epidemiologic studies show protective effects of nut consumption on coronary heart disease in different population groups. To date, many clinical trials have analyzed the positive effects of nuts consumption (almond, walnut, pistachio, Macadamia nut, and pecan) on the lipid profile, decreasing total and low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol. However, whether these effects are only due to their fatty acid composition or to any other bioactive compounds, such as tocopherols, phytosterols and phytoestrogens, it is still unknown. This paper, aims to review comparative composition aspects of nuts, such as the positive effects on body weight, lipoprotein metabolism, and protection against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The inclusion of 25 g/day of nuts, mainly raw, into a prudent diet seems to be recommended. Further investigations, as actual information is still scarce, in order to dilucidate the relationship between nuts consumption and vascular diseases are proposed.
Nus
Meritxell
M
Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España.
Ruperto
Mar
M
Sánchez-Muniz
Francisco J
FJ
D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D009754:Nuts / Q000737:chemistry; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain
D008074:Lipoproteins