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

Nut consumption in chronic kidney disease: A systematic review. (Lazzarin et al, 2025).
This systematic review explored whether nut consumption can improve health outcomes in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). From 2,521 identified records, four studies (three clinical trials and one cohort; 1,270 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that Brazil nuts and baru almond oil improved markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, while walnuts reduced LDL cholesterol and blood pressure without affecting electrolyte balance. Higher total nut intake was also linked with lower all-cause mortality. While these findings suggest nuts may offer meaningful benefits for people with CKD, the evidence to date is limited, and more high-quality research is needed before nuts can be recommended as a strategy in CKD management.

Dietary habits and successful aging in Chinese older adults: A cross-sectional analysis of the CLHLS. (Wang et al, 2025).
This cross-sectional study, of 8,342 adults from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, examined links between successful ageing (SA) and six common foods: fruits, vegetables, garlic, nuts, mushrooms, and tea. Frequent consumption of fruits, vegetables, garlic, and nuts was significantly associated with SA. The researchers highlight nuts as a key dietary component, offering a bioavailable matrix of nutrients and bioactive compounds that may lower cardiovascular disease and cancer risk and help prevent cognitive decline. Overall, the findings reinforce that healthy dietary patterns play a crucial role in supporting successful ageing.

Foods and dietary intakes and the risk of Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. (Akhlaghi et al, 2025).
This dose-response meta-analysis, of 29 prospective cohort studies involving more than 1.3 million participants, examined the link between intake of food groups and dietary patterns, and Parkinson’s disease (PD) incidence. Among the findings, in the highest versus lowest comparison, adherence to healthy diets was associated with a 37% reduction in PD risk, while adherence to unhealthy diets was linked to a 40% increased PD risk. Legumes/nuts was the only food group that showed a reduced PD risk (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62–0.81). These findings underscore the importance of diet in the prevention or development of PD.

Benefits of nutrients and phytonutrients in nuts and legumes on platelet aggregation through DNA methylation. (Chaimati et al, 2025).
This review outlines evidence on how nut and legume consumption may affect platelet aggregation via DNA methylation – and what this could mean for cardiovascular health. Nuts and legumes offer a wide range of nutrients – such as mono- and poly-unsaturated fats, fibre, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds (including polyphenols and flavonoids). This composition supports favourable epigenetic modifications, particularly in genes, such as PEAR1, which regulate platelet function. However, the study authors say more research is needed into the long-term effects of nuts and legumes on epigenetic changes and platelet function.

Debunking the plant protein paradox: Emerging meta-analytical evidence for preserved muscular strength on plant-based diets. (Inamdar et al, 2025).
This review, of meta-analyses and clinical trials, suggests no significant differences in muscular strength or athletic performance between plant-based and omnivorous diets when total protein intake and quality are optimised. The researchers conclude that specific populations – including older adults and athletes – can safely follow plant-based diets (PBDs) without compromising strength or functional performance. They say clinical guidance should focus on adequate protein intake, quality, leucine content, and micronutrient sufficiency to support muscle health on PBDs. This evidence supports PBDs as a viable strategy for musculoskeletal health.

Effects of the MIND diet on the cognitive function of older adults: A systematic review. (Kim et al, 2025).
This systematic review, with a total of 17,201 older adults, examined the impact of the MIND diet on cognitive function. Of the 11 included studies, nine found that higher MIND diet scores were linked with better cognitive function, enhanced cognitive resilience, and a reduced risk of early-onset dementia. The MIND diet score comprises 15 components: 10 brain-healthy food groups (eg. green leafy vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, fish, poultry, and olive oil) and 5 food groups to be limited (eg. red meat, butter, cheese, sweets, and fried foods). Additional systematic reviews and large randomised controlled trials, particularly in Asian populations, are needed.

Effect of Mediterranean diet on mental health outcomes: A systematic review. (Hussen Kabthymer et al, 2025).
This systematic review, of 104 articles (88 observational and 16 interventional studies), highlights a growing body of evidence linking the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with favourable mental health outcomes. Adherence to the Med Diet was associated with reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms, lower perceived stress, and improved quality of life and overall well-being, both in healthy individuals and those with comorbidities, and across diverse geographical settings. Possible mechanisms involved include the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the MedDiet, and its effect on gut microbiota.

Causal associations between food intakes and autoimmune skin diseases: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization study. (Xiao et al. 2025).
This study, using data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen Biobank, explored the impact of 25 different foods on autoimmune skin diseases using Mendelian randomisation – a genetic analysis method. The study did not identify any statistically significant causal associations between genetically-predicted food intakes and autoimmune skin diseases. However, multiple nominally significant associations were observed, suggesting potential protective roles for foods such as oily fish, nuts, fruits, and tea in specific autoimmune skin conditions, and a potential risk associated with alcohol consumption for psoriasis. Larger genetic studies and randomised trials are needed to confirm these findings.