The body of evidence about nuts and health continues to grow. These local and international research papers, published around July 2022, corroborate decades of research about the importance of a regular handful of nuts in a healthy diet.

Walnut intake interventions targeting biomarkers of metabolic syndrome and inflammation in middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. (2022).
This systematic review and meta-analysis, of 17 randomised controlled trials involving middle-aged and older adults, found walnut-enriched diets significantly decreased triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol concentrations, compared with control – without impacting anthropometric and glycaemic parameters. The researchers say their findings emphasise the benefits of including walnuts in the diet of middle-aged and older adults.

Positive effects of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds on female adipose tissue biology in severe obesity. (2022).
This study found that a Mediterranean diet, supplemented with 30g almonds per day, for three-months, helped protect against obesity-related white adipose tissue (WAT) dysfunction in women with obesity, compared with a usual diet (control) group. Despite the short three-month duration of the trial, these changes in WAT were accompanied by a significant reduction in circulating inflammatory markers and improved lipid profile, including a significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol levels.  

Effects of pistachios on glycemic control: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. (2022).
Eight randomised controlled trials were included in this analysis. The pooled data found pistachio consumption, exchanged iso-calorically for other foods, reduced fasting blood sugar and insulin levels in people at high risk of cardiovascular disease. No changes were observed in the levels of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The researchers conclude that further well-designed trials, with adequate sample sizes, aimed at diabetic populations, are needed.

Functional components of peanuts (Arachis Hypogaea L.) and health benefits: A review. (2022).
This review outlines peanut nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as phytosterols, phenolic compounds, stilbenes, lignans, and isoflavonoids, which have a role in protecting against cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. The researchers point out that daily peanut consumption is part of the traditional Mediterranean diet, and the DASH dietary pattern also includes peanuts 4-5 times a week.

Dietary patterns and cardiovascular disease: A systematic review of 29 prospective studies with 1,249,644 participants, published in the last 20 years. (2022).
This review considered the outcomes of 29 studies, involving more than 1.2 million people. The Mediterranean, DASH-style, Prudent, and plant-based dietary patterns were consistently linked with reduced risk of a CVD event. It concluded that the role of diet has been underestimated in CVD prevention guidelines, and a dietary pattern rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, and vegetable oils, with alcohol in moderation, if at all, and avoids red and processed meats, refined carbohydrates, foods and beverages with added sugar, sodium, and trans, should be further promoted.

Early introduction of allergenic foods and the prevention of food allergy. (2022).
This paper reinforces that the early introduction of allergenic foods appears to be an effective strategy for minimising the public health burden of food allergy. It states that for children considered high risk of developing food allergy, the consensus is clear that not only should allergenic foods not be delayed, but they should be introduced at approximately 4 to 6 months of age to minimise the risk of food allergy development.

Early food intervention and skin emollients to prevent food allergy in young children (PreventADALL): A factorial, multicentre, cluster-randomised trial. (2022).
This research, involving 2,397 newborn infants, aimed to determine whether early food introduction reduced the risk of food allergy. Prevalence of food allergy at 36 months was reduced in the food intervention group (early complementary feeding of peanut, cow’s milk, wheat, and egg from 3 months of age), compared with the control group (no food intervention group). The researchers say the results support early introduction of common allergenic foods as a safe and effective strategy to prevent food allergy.

Systematic review of the impact of a plant-based diet on prostate cancer incidence and outcomes. (2022).
This review looked at 32 publications (from 5 intervention and 11 observational studies). The intervention studies showed generally favourable results of lifestyle modifications incorporating a plant-based diet with prostate cancer outcomes. Observational studies suggest either a lower risk of prostate cancer or no significant difference. The researchers say the results are encouraging in light of the many benefits of plant-based diets for overall health.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet as a modifiable risk factor for thyroid nodular disease and thyroid cancer: Results from a pilot study. (2022).
This first-of-its-kind pilot study consisted of 794 subjects, aged 18–65 years – of which 49.2% had thyroid nodule disease. Those with the condition were assessed based on cytological categories. It found that low adherence to the MD was associated with the presence of thyroid nodular disease, and the cytological category with high-risk of malignancy (TIR4/TIR5) was also significantly linked with the lowest adherence to the MD.