Consuming Pecans as a Snack Improves Lipids/Lipoproteins and Diet Quality Compared to Usual Diet in Adults at Increased Risk for Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

IF 6.5 1区医学 Q1 NUTRITION & DIETETICS American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Pub Date : 2025-01-27 DOI:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.01.024

Tricia L Hart, Penny M Kris-Etherton, Kristina S Petersen

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Abstract

Background: The vascular and cardiometabolic effects of pecans are relatively under-studied.

Objectives: The aim was to examine how substitution of usual snack foods with 57 g/day of pecans affects vascular health, risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases and diet quality, compared to continuing usual intake in individuals at risk for cardiometabolic diseases.

Methods: A 12-week single-blinded, parallel, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Adults with ≥1 criterion for metabolic syndrome who were free from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes were included. Participants were provided with 57 g/day of pecans and instructed to replace the snacks usually consumed with the provided pecans. The control group was instructed to continue consuming their usual diet. Flow mediated dilation (FMD; primary outcome), blood pressure, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), lipids/lipoproteins, and glycemic control were measured at baseline and following the intervention. Participants completed three 24-hour recalls at three timepoints (baseline, week 6, and week 12) during the study (9 recalls in total). The Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI-2020) was calculated to assess diet quality.

Results: In total, 138 participants (Mean±SD;46±13 years, 29.8±3.7 kg/m²) were randomized (69 per group). No between group differences in FMD, cf-PWV or blood pressure were observed. Compared to the usual diet group, pecan intake reduced total cholesterol (-8.1 mg/dL; 95%CI -14.5, -1.7), LDL-C (-7.2 mg/dL; 95%CI -12.3, -2.1), non-HDL-C (-9.5 mg/dL; 95%CI -15.3, -3.7) and triglycerides (-16.4 mg/dL; 95%CI -30.0, -2.9). Weight tended to increase in the pecan group compared with the usual diet group (0.7 kg; 95%CI -0.1, 1.4). The HEI-2020 increased by 9.4 points (95%CI 5.0, 13.7) in the pecan group compared to the usual diet group.

Conclusions: Replacing usual snacks with 57 g/day of pecans for 12-weeks improved lipids/lipoproteins and diet quality, but did not affect vascular health in adults at risk for cardiometabolic disease.

Clinical trials registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT05071807.

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来源期刊

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 医学-营养学

CiteScore

12.40

自引率

4.20%

发文量

332

审稿时长

38 days

期刊介绍： American Journal of Clinical Nutrition is recognized as the most highly rated peer-reviewed, primary research journal in nutrition and dietetics.It focuses on publishing the latest research on various topics in nutrition, including but not limited to obesity, vitamins and minerals, nutrition and disease, and energy metabolism. Purpose: The purpose of AJCN is to: Publish original research studies relevant to human and clinical nutrition. Consider well-controlled clinical studies describing scientific mechanisms, efficacy, and safety of dietary interventions in the context of disease prevention or health benefits. Encourage public health and epidemiologic studies relevant to human nutrition. Promote innovative investigations of nutritional questions employing epigenetic, genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic approaches. Include solicited editorials, book reviews, solicited or unsolicited review articles, invited controversy position papers, and letters to the Editor related to prior AJCN articles. Peer Review Process: All submitted material with scientific content undergoes peer review by the Editors or their designees before acceptance for publication.