Researchers have conducted a large-scale study with results showing that nut consumption leaves a clear signature in the body in terms of metabolites, linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
They are considered a health treasure: nuts have many benefits that make them delicious and healthy snacks to be enjoyed daily. They are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, a family of fatty acids that are essential for the development and proper functioning of the body. Previous studies have shown a beneficial effect on the reduction of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. But how? This is the aim of the new research conducted by researchers from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in collaboration with researchers from the University of Rovira i Virgili and the University of Navarra.
This study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, involved using artificial intelligence, a machine learning model, to identify 19 metabolites, when intestinal bacteria produce organic compounds that may have an impact on health, associated with the consumption of nuts. These can take the form of fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, peptides or even vitamins. The researchers were interested in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases because they are two main causes of death in the world: respectively the first and seventh cause of death according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
"Nuts Are Good For Our Health"
The researchers found that the metabolite profile of the nut was associated with a 17% lower risk of type 2 diabetes and 29% lower risk of cardiovascular disease. This is an important finding, as they believe this is the first study to examine the association between metabolites made from nut consumption and the risk of cardiometabolic disease. "We are able to improve our understanding of the relationship between diet and disease and take a personalized approach that will lead to better prevention and management of various health problems," says Dr. Marta Guasch-Ferré.
She adds, "In this study, we revealed the unique metabolomic signature of nuts, which brings us one step closer to understanding 'how' nuts are good for our health. These cutting-edge technologies are shaping the future of nutritional recommendations". To reach this conclusion, the researchers examined data from 1,833 participants in the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) study, a large-scale study in Spain that examined the effects of a Mediterranean diet on the prevention of cardiovascular disease in people considered to be at risk for heart disease.
A Handful of Nuts per Day
The participants were aged 55 to 80 years and followed three different diets: a Mediterranean diet supplemented with a mixture of nuts (50% walnuts, 25% almonds, 25% hazelnuts), a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil or a low-fat diet. Through blood tests, the scientific team looked for associations between 385 known metabolites and nut consumption. A total of 19 metabolites were significantly associated, including lipids and amino acids. It is this entire "metabolite profile" that is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The researchers believe that these results therefore highlight the link between nut consumption as part of a healthy diet and cardio-metabolic health. But more studies are needed on this topic with other types of populations since this study focused only on middle- to older-aged adults. "Furthermore, as the field of metabolomics is rapidly evolving, future studies will be needed to identify additional biomarkers related to nut ingestion that were not studied in this one as well as to understand individual metabolic responses after nut consumption," the researchers conclude.
