How walnuts protect health

Regular walnut consumption lowers negative cholesterol

Regular consumption of walnuts can improve cholesterol levels, regardless of the need for other foods, according to a new study by the University of Munich Hospital. The fact that natural walnuts have a positive effect on fat metabolism has been scientifically proven. Nutritionists have now studied whether the beneficial effect depends on what patients otherwise omit in their diets when they consume walnuts. But this does not seem to matter.

The results of the prospective, randomized walnut study confirm the positive health effect of walnut: 43 grams of tree nut per day improves fat metabolism, has a positive effect on the intestinal flora and has been shown to lower bad cholesterol by about five percent. And this regardless of whether one omits the diet fats or carbohydrates instead of walnuts. The results were recently published in the journal "Nutrients".

Regular walnut consumption of 43 grams daily has a positive effect on the intestinal flora and reduces the risk of overweight and diabetes. (Image: karepa / fotolia.com)

Only the nut consumption counts

The scientists were able to prove in the study that nut consumption alone is the decisive factor for the positive effect on the cholesterol level. The team looked after around 200 healthy women and men aged 63 years and over. Subjects (all non-smokers) were divided into three groups who consumed 43 grams of walnuts per day for a period of eight weeks.

Other nutrition - same effect

Carbohydrates should be avoided by one group, a second was recommended to abstain from fats, and the third group had a combination of both. In addition, during the eight-week period, there were no nuts for a control group to have a comparison value. The research team found that reducing fats or carbohydrates while eating a handful of walnuts does not make any difference in terms of cholesterol improvement.

Walnut consumption - no matter when and where

In a second approach, the team looked for possible differences in whether the nuts are consumed with the main meal (for example, as part of a salad) or as a snack. There was also no difference on the fat metabolism here.

Walnut effect on the intestinal flora

According to the scientists, regular walnut consumption led to more probiotic and butyric acid-producing bacteria in the stool. "It is well known that the composition of the intestinal flora has an influence on human health," explains Prof. Dr. med. Parhofer, Senior Physician in the Medical Clinic and Polyclinic IV at the University Hospital Munich in a press release of the hospital to the study results. It is also known that nutrition can influence the microbiome. The study shows that regular walnut consumption promotes bacteria associated with less overweight and less diabetes.

Other positive aspects of walnut

Walnuts are energetic and very healthy, also because they contain many antioxidants. In addition, walnuts help with weight loss, due to the appetite control by activating certain brain regions. Overall, one can say: The walnut convinces with its fine aroma and health benefits. (Vb)