The body of evidence about nuts and health continues to grow. These local and international research papers, published around April 2023, corroborate decades of research about the importance of a regular handful of nuts within a healthy diet.

Nuts and cardiovascular disease outcomes: A review of the evidence and future directions. (Glenn et al, 2023)
This narrative review summarises recommendations for nuts by clinical practice guidelines and governmental organisations, epidemiological evidence for nuts and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes, nut-containing dietary patterns, potential mechanisms of nuts and CVD risk reduction, and future research directions. Although there are still some uncertainties around nuts and CVD prevention which require further research, there is substantial evidence to support that consuming nuts will have a positive impact on primary and secondary prevention of CVD.

Effect of nuts on gastrointestinal health. (Mandalari et al, 2023)
This narrative review summarises the most important findings and new research perspectives on nut consumption and gastrointestinal health. It outlines the physiological processes that contribute to the digestion of nuts, and how this may impact gut microbiota composition. Some scientific evidence suggests an increase in faecal butyrate after almond consumption, and a role for walnuts in the prevention of ulcerative colitis and protection against gastric mucosal lesions. However, research on the effect of nuts on gastrointestinal health is still at an early stage.

Association between nut consumption and prostate cancer risk in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. (Balali et al, 2023)
This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis found no significant association between nut intake and risk of total, advanced, non-advanced, and fatal prostate cancer. The dose-response analyses showed no evidence of a linear or non-linear association between total nut intake and prostate cancer risk. It included 11 articles (from observational studies) with 287,786 total participants and 32,213 cases of prostate cancer.

Association of legumes and nuts consumption with metabolic health status in Iranian overweight and obese adolescents. (Heshmatipour et al, 2023)
This cross-sectional study assessed the relationship between legume and nut intake and metabolic health status in 203 overweight/obese Iranian adolescents (aged 12 to 18 years). After taking potential confounders into account, no significant association was found between consumption of legumes and nuts and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese Iranian adolescents. The researchers say the findings should be confirmed by further prospective studies.

A review on some properties of almond: Impact of processing, fatty acids, polyphenols, nutrients, bioactive properties, and health aspects. (Ozcan, 2023)
This review outlines the proximate compounds, nutritional values, total phenolic, flavonoid, antioxidant activity, fatty acid profile, polyphenols, health aspects and uses of almonds and almond oil. Almonds are a good source of mono- and unsaturated fatty acids, phytochemicals, bioactive components, minerals, vitamin E, polyphenols and phytosterols, and are considered a healthy snack due to their potential cardioprotective effects.

Dietary pattern, food, and nutritional supplement effects on cognitive outcomes in mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review of previous reviews. (Andrews et al, 2023)
This review, of 20 previous reviews, found that few nutritional interventions convincingly improve cognition in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Reviews were mostly positive for B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics. And emerging evidence suggests there may be a role for the Mediterranean diet, a low-carbohydrate diet, vitamin D, medium-chain triglycerides, blueberries, grape juice, cocoa flavanols, and Brazil nuts, but more studies are needed in this population group.

Association of healthful plant-based diet adherence with risk of mortality and major chronic diseases among adults in the UK. (Thompson et al, 2023)
In this cohort study, of 126,394 UK Biobank adults, followed for 10.6 to 12.2 years, greater adherence to a healthful plant-based diet was associated with a lower risk of mortality and major chronic diseases. It found a 16% lower risk of all-cause mortality, a 7% lower risk of cancer, and an 8% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, in participants in the highest healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI) quartile, compared with the lowest.