Consumption of hazelnuts reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
People who eat about 42 grams of hazelnuts per day have a reduced likelihood of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Nut consumption has been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of obesity, lower apolipoprotein levels, reduced waist circumference and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations.Researchers from Texas Woman's University and the Medical University of Arkansas evaluated the effects of tree nuts on cardiometabolic parameters in adult humans. The results of the study are published in the journal CDN.
They found that people who consumed hazelnuts were less likely to be obese (31% compared to 40% of participants whose diet did not include them). They were also less likely to have low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (22% and 30%, respectively).
People who ate hazelnuts had lower waist circumference (average 97 cm and 100.5 cm) and apolipoprotein levels (87.5 mg/dL and 91.8 mg/dL). Eating an average amount of nuts (about 40 g per day) was 7 mg/dL lower in triglyceride levels than eating 7 g of nuts per day. The analysis also showed that eating hazelnuts reduced the risk of diabetes by 20-24% and hypertension by 20-21%.
The study involved 18,000 people 20 years and older. A person was considered to be consuming hazelnuts if they ate at least 7 g of nuts per day. About 8% of the participants consumed nuts, averaging 39.5 g per day.
To reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, the experts recommended eating at least 42.5 g of hazelnuts per day.