Potential health benefits of nuts

Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: April 02, 2013 | Revision accepted: October 07, 2013

Introduction

Lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2 and cancer are among the leading causes of death worldwide. In Germany alone, around 45 % of all deaths in 2010 were due to cardiovascular diseases [1]. Since an unhealthy eating behavior contributes significantly to their formation, a deliberate choice of foods with either prophylactic effect or the ability to improve symptoms of existing diseases are of great importance.

Yet nuts are often underestimated. They are rich in dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals (• Figure 1) and are increasingly associated with an overall healthy lifestyle and reduced risk of disease [2–6], such as a reduced risk of stroke [7] or a lower risk of the metabolic syndrome [8]. In this review, the term nuts is used to describe both nuts in the botanical sense (e. g. hazelnuts, walnuts) as well as legumes and drupes (e. g. peanuts, almonds, pistachios) that are commonly referred to as nuts (•
Figure 2).

Summary

Nuts play a minor role in Western dietary patterns. Although the German Nutrition Society e. V. (DGE) recommends a daily consumption of 25 g, it was shown by the National Nutrition Survey II (NVS II) that Germans only eat about 2 g a day. This is all the more incomprehensible since nuts are not only a good source for important nutrients (e. g. monounsaturated fatty acids [MUFA], polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFA], dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals), but there is also growing evidence of positive health effects due to regular nut consumption. These relate to the support of the prevention of hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and atherosclerotic processes. Since previous studies also showed no adverse effects of regular nut consumption, an increased consumption should be promoted. This article gives an overview of the current state of research relating to the health potential of nuts in terms of selected metabolic diseases and cancer.

Keywords: nuts, prevention, hypertension, blood lipids, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus type 2, cancer

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