Effects of acute and chronic nuts consumption on energy metabolism: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials

Abstract

Nuts are high-energy density foods and are associated with beneficial effects on health, including weight control. Effects on resting energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, and diet-induced thermogenesis are suggested mechanisms behind the effects of nuts consumption on weight control. Thus, we revised the randomised clinical trials that assessed acute and chronic nuts consumption effects on energy metabolism. Walnuts (22.1 g to 56 g) consumption appears to modulate energy metabolism markers differently depending on the dose and profile of the evaluated subject. In its turn, 56 g of high-oleic peanuts increased postprandial energy expenditure and thermic effect of food after three hours postprandial compared to consumption of conventional peanuts. Almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, and a mix of nuts were the nuts studies in the chronic studies, which does not seem to influence energy metabolism markers. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of other types of nuts consumption on energy metabolism.

Keywords:

• Nutrition
• nuts
• postprandial energy expenditure
• resting energy expenditure
• thermic effect of food

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for scholarship conceded to YMFE, APSC, and AS.

Disclosure statement

No potential competing interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) – Finance Code 001 and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Process 428038/2018-2. Brazil. JB is CNPq fellows. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the article.