Effects of walnut consumption on blood lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors: an updated meta-analysis and systematic review of controlled trials

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Intervention studies suggest that incorporating walnuts into the diet may improve blood lipids without promoting weight gain. OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials evaluating the effects of walnut consumption on blood lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors. Design We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed and EMBASE databases (from database inception to January 2018) of clinical trials comparing walnut-enriched diets with control diets. We performed random-effects meta-analyses comparing walnut-enriched and control diets for changes in pre-post intervention in blood lipids (mmol/L), apolipoproteins (mg/dL), body weight (kg), and blood pressure (mm Hg). RESULTS Twenty-six clinical trials with a total of 1059 participants were included. The following weighted mean differences (WMDs) in reductions were obtained for walnut-enriched diets compared with control groups: −6.99 mg/dL (95% CI: −9.39, −4.58 mg/dL; P < 0.001) (3.25% greater reduction) for total blood cholesterol (TC) and −5.51 mg/dL (95% CI: −7.72, −3.29 mg/dL; P < 0.001) (3.73% greater reduction) for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Triglyceride concentrations were also reduced in walnut-enriched diets compared with control [WMD = −4.69 (95% CI: −8.93, −0.45); P = 0.03; 5.52% greater reduction]. More pronounced reductions in blood lipids were observed when walnut interventions were compared with American and Western diets [WMD for TC = −12.30 (95% CI: −23.17, −1.43) and for LDL = −8.28 (95% CI: −13.04, −3.51); P < 0.001]. Apolipoprotein B (mg/dL) was also reduced significantly more on walnut-enriched diets compared with control groups [WMD = −3.74 (95% CI: −6.51, −0.97); P = 0.008] and a trend towards a reduction was observed for apolipoprotein A [WMD = −2.91 (95% CI: −5.98, 0.08); P = 0.057]. Walnut-enriched diets did not lead to significant differences in weight change (kg) compared with control diets [WMD = −0.12 (95% CI: −2.12, 1.88); P = 0.90], systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) [WMD = −0.72 (95% CI: −2.75, 1.30); P = 0.48], or diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) [WMD = −0.10 (95% CI: −1.49, 1.30); P = 0.88]. Conclusions Incorporating walnuts into the diet improved blood lipid profile without adversely affecting body weight or blood pressure.