Nuts and Cardiovascular Diseases: Focus on Brazil Nuts

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of death globally and most CVD can be prevented by addressing their risk factors, such as an unhealthy diet. Many authors have studied the benefits of nut consumption on CVD. Nuts contain high amounts of vegetable protein, unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals and many other bioactive compounds, like phytosterols and phenolic compounds, which are able to reduce cholesterol levels and promote antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, thereby reducing cardiovascular risks. This review aims to describe studies involving the consumption of nuts, including Brazil nuts and CVD risk factors with positive results in the improvement of lipid profile, glucose metabolism, vascular function, and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers.

Selenium nutritional status and its association with SLEDAI-2K, HOMA-IR and lipid profile in Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients

“…A study in healthy volunteers assessed lipid profile and inflammatory markers after a single intake of 20g of Brazil nut, showing that even a single intake was able to significantly raise c-HDL and to lower c-LDL values; levels of IL-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor—alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were also significantly lowered, while IL-10 was raised, after consumption of 20 or 50 grams of Brazil nut. 22 A recent metanalysis of 19 clinical trials showed that supplementation with 200 µg of Se per day significantly reduced total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. 21 There are no studies specific to jSLE patients regarding Se supplementation, disease activity, and associated comorbidities.…”

Microbiological quality evaluation of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H. B. K.) almond marketed in open markets in the Amazon

“…Desta forma, essa amêndoa representa elevada importância econômica, devido a grande procura no mercado que se destaca por ser fonte de ácidos graxos insaturados, proteínas, fibras, vitaminas e apresentar alto teor de selênio, oligoelemento essencial para a saúde humana que contribui para o equilíbrio oxidativo, redução plasmática de mediadores inflamatórios auxiliando na prevenção do envelhecimento precoce e de inúmeras doenças, como diabetes mellitus, dislipidemias, cardiovasculares e até mesmo na redução da severidade da COVID-19 (Di Stadio et al, 2020;Kieliszek, 2019;Silva et al, 2019).…”

Genetically determined variations of selenoprotein P are associated with antioxidant, muscular, and lipid biomarkers in response to Brazil nut consumption by patients using statins

“…The consumption of Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa, family Lecythidaceae) has become popular among recent studies due to its significant amount of Se in the main form of selenomethionine, being a viable strategy to increase dietary intake of Se in different conditions and populations (9,10) . Moreover, the increase of Se intake due to the regular consumption of Brazil nuts has been associated with antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects, modulation of blood lipids, decreased atherogenic risk (10) and considered as coadjutant therapy in the prevention/treatment of CVD (11) .…”