The effect of nuts consumption on circulating oxidized low‐density lipoproteins: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

AbstractThis systematic review and meta‐analysis evaluated the effect of nuts in decreasing circulating levels of oxidized low‐density lipoproteins (ox‐LDL). A literature search was performed of major electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science) from inception up to November 15th, 2021 to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of different nuts on circulating levels of ox‐LDL. The effect size was determined using standardized mean difference (SMD) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Evaluation of funnel plot, Begg's rank correlation, and Egger's weighted regression tests were used to assess the presence of publication bias in the meta‐analysis. This systematic review and meta‐analysis included 15 RCTs involving 997 subjects. Meta‐analysis showed that nuts significantly decreased serum levels of ox‐LDL. Besides, meta‐regression results of the association between confounders such as duration of nuts consumption or delta LDL‐cholesterol and levels of ox‐LDL, were not significant. The correlation between nuts type and ox‐LDL levels was significant in subgroup analyses suggesting the most significant effect of pistachios consumption on reducing the circulating concentrations of ox‐LDL. To conclude, nuts consumption decreases the circulating concentrations of ox‐LDL which might be beneficial for the prevention and/or progression of ASCVD.