Effects of nut consumption on the reduction of LDL "bad" cholesterol

Bulanbek Zhekshenbekov

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Obesity is a complex disease involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart diseases. In 2016 1.9 billion adults are overweight, 650 million obese. An unhealthy diet such as lack of vegetable and natural products increases the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in blood lipids. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol "bad cholesterol" takes cholesterol to arteries and collects in artery walls. The high concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol causes atherosclerosis, leading to the risk of blood clots in arteries. If the blood clots releases, blocks an artery in the heart or brain, it may be a risk of a heart attack. Nuts are a highly nutritious diet source and loaded with antioxidants; therefore, nuts are healthy for a human being. The main objective of this Thesis was to analyse and summarise current scientific findings, articles, trials regarding tree nuts and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C). The specific objectives were to review obesity and its health risks, summarise the bioactive compounds and health benefits of tree nuts, and analyse the clinical trials on the effect of almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts macadamias, cashews, pistachios, pecans, and walnuts consumption on LDL-C. According to clinical trials from 1999 to 2018, eating almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios, macadamias, walnuts, cashews lowered total low-density cholesterol, the ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The interventions lasted between 3 and 26 weeks. Daily consumption of from 42.5 to 67 g of nuts resulted in a mean reduction of LDL-C 10.2 mg/dL or a 7.4 %. According to experts, the healthy substances of nuts are MUFA and PUFA, plant sterols, L-arginine (improves artery walls making them flexible), Vitamin E (stops the development of plaques in the arteries), fibre improved blood lipid profile.

Keywords

nuts consumption, tree nuts, obesity, LDL cholesterol, Health effects of nuts

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 19. 4. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Klára Urbanová, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / International Cooperation in Agriculture and Rural Development