The Relationship of Tree Nuts and Peanuts with Adiposity Parameters: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The network meta-analysis and systematic review conducted aim to comparatively assess the effects of tree nuts and peanuts on body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and body fat percentage (BF%). A systematic search up to 31 December 2020 was performed. A random-effects network meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA-NMA statement. A total of 105 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with measures of BW (n = 6768 participants), BMI (n = 2918), WC (n = 5045), and BF% (n = 1226) were included. The transitivity assumption was met based on baseline characteristics. In the comparisons of nut consumption versus a control diet, there was no significant increase observed in any of the adiposity-related measures examined except for hazelnut-enriched diets, which raised WC. Moreover, almond-enriched diets significantly reduced WC compared to the control diet and to the pistachio-, mixed nuts-, and hazelnut-enriched diets. In subgroup analyses with only RCTs, designed to assess whether nut consumption affected weight loss, almonds were associated with reduced BMI and walnuts with reduced %BF. The evidence supports that: (1) tree nut and peanut consumption do not influence adiposity, and (2) compared to a control diet, the consumption of almond-enriched diets was associated with a reduced waist circumference.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Better Metabolic Features in Youths with Type 1 Diabetes

“…Although nuts are dense-energy foods, they are rich in micronutrients and bio-active compounds. Growing evidence suggests their role in protecting from obesity or helping in weight loss [52][53][54] due to several mechanisms including prolonged chewing, delayed gastric emptying because of fibers and unsaturated fats, increased satiety and booster actions on lipid oxidation and thermogenesis [55].…”

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“…A 2014 review of epidemiological and RCT data concluded that evidence was lacking on the common assertion that regular consumption of nuts increased adiposity [ 10 ]. This was confirmed in a recent network meta-analysis of 105 RCTs comparing the effects of diets enriched in various tree nuts and peanuts vs. control diets on body weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC), and percent body fat [ 64 ]. No significant increase was observed in any adiposity measures with any of the nuts, except for hazelnut-rich diets, which raised WC.…”

“…Due to the high energy density of nuts, increased body weight with long-term consumption has been an underlying concern. Yet, to the contrary, a growing body of epidemiological evidence suggests that daily nut consumption is a potentially effective strategy in the primary prevention of obesity [ 64 ].…”

“… Percentage change for adiposity outcomes in the healthy/normal weight groups vs. the overweight/obesity group with regard to the length of time following the nut interventions in 105 RCTs. Reproduced from reference [ 64 ], with permission. BW: body weight; BMI: body mass index; WC: waist circumference; % BF: body fat percentage.…”

Association Between Eating Speed and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Relevant literature searching was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews, and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) statement ( 25 , 26 ). The current study was registered on PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021242213, April 11, 2021, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ ).…”