Walnuts Improve Heart Health In German Diet

FOLSOM, Calif.A diet with walnuts may reduce cardiovascular disease risk by lowering non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B² (ApoB)two predictors of cardiovascular disease risk, according to a new study published in the journal Metabolism.

Researchers at University of Munich Medical Center, Germany, investigated the effects of daily walnut consumption (43 grams/1.5 ounce) on blood lipid levels that predict cardiovascular disease risk.

During the 8-week study, participants consumed walnuts as part of their normal diet. This resulted in increased consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acidswalnuts are comprised predominately of polyunsaturated fatwhile participants also reduced intake of saturated fat. Walnuts also offer plant-based omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid.

Results concluded non-HDL cholesterol and ApoB levels were significantly reduced on the walnut-enriched diet by more than 6% and 5% respectively.

"[Heart] diseases usually develop as a result of a number of different risk factors among which lipid factors such as non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B⁶ (ApoB) are the most important," said lead investigator Klaus Parhofer, Ph.D. "Our study has shown that people can benefit from supplementing their diet with walnuts, which helps reduce these risk parameters."