Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) and cashew nut oil reduce cardiovascular risk factors in adults on weight-loss treatment: a randomized controlled three-arm trial (Brazilian Nuts Study).
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effects of cashew nut and cashew nut oil on body fat, adiposity, cardiometabolic, and liver function markers during energy restriction.
Results Summary
All groups reduced body fat, weight, and adiposity indicators, with no significant difference between cashew nut, cashew nut oil, and control. However, intervention groups showed additional reductions in atherogenic markers, liver enzymes, and cardiovascular risk factors.
Population
68 adults with overweight/obesity (40 women, BMI: 33 ± 4 kg/m²).
Effective Dosage
30 g/d cashew nut (CN) or 30 mL/d cashew nut oil (OL).
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
energy-restricted diet (control group) | decrease | body fat | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -3.1 ± 2.8 kg | reduced significantly | #1 |
cashew nut (30 g/d) with energy restriction | decrease | body fat | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -3.3 ± 2.7 kg | reduced significantly | #2 |
cashew nut oil (30 mL/d) with energy restriction | decrease | body fat | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -1.8 ± 2.6 kg | reduced significantly | #3 |
energy-restricted diet (control group) | decrease | body weight | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -4.2 ± 3.8 kg | reduced | #4 |
cashew nut (30 g/d) with energy restriction | decrease | body weight | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -3.9 ± 3.1 kg | reduced | #5 |
cashew nut oil (30 mL/d) with energy restriction | decrease | body weight | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -3.4 ± 2.4 kg | reduced | #6 |
energy-restricted diet (control group) | decrease | waist circumference | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -5.1 ± 4.6 cm | reduced | #7 |
cashew nut (30 g/d) with energy restriction | decrease | waist circumference | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -3.9 ± 3.9 cm | reduced | #8 |
cashew nut oil (30 mL/d) with energy restriction | decrease | waist circumference | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -3.7 ± 5.3 cm | reduced | #9 |
energy-restricted diet (control group) | decrease | hip circumference | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -2.9 ± 3.0 cm | reduced | #10 |
cashew nut (30 g/d) with energy restriction | decrease | hip circumference | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -2.7 ± 3.1 cm | reduced | #11 |
cashew nut oil (30 mL/d) with energy restriction | decrease | hip circumference | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -2.9 ± 2.3 cm | reduced | #12 |
cashew nut (30 g/d) with energy restriction | decrease | liver enzyme AST | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -3.1 ± 5.3 U/L | reduced | #13 |
cashew nut (30 g/d) with energy restriction | decrease | liver enzyme ALT | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -6.0 ± 9.9 U/L | reduced | #14 |
cashew nut oil (30 mL/d) with energy restriction | decrease | LDL-c | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -11.5 ± 21.8 mg/dL | reduced | #15 |
cashew nut oil (30 mL/d) with energy restriction | decrease | atherogenic index | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -0.2 ± 0.5 | reduced | #16 |
cashew nut (30 g/d) with energy restriction | decrease | neck circumference | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -1.0 ± 1.2 cm | decreased | #17 |
cashew nut oil (30 mL/d) with energy restriction | decrease | neck circumference | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -0.5 ± 1.2 cm | decreased | #18 |
cashew nut (30 g/d) with energy restriction | decrease | apo B | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -6.6 ± 10.7 mg/dL | decreased | #19 |
cashew nut oil (30 mL/d) with energy restriction | decrease | apo B | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | -7.0 ± 15.3 mg/dL | decreased | #20 |
cashew nut (30 g/d) with energy restriction | no change | body fat reduction | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | - | no different effect | #21 |
cashew nut oil (30 mL/d) with energy restriction | no change | body fat reduction | 68 adults with overweight/obesity | - | no different effect | #22 |
INTRODUCTION: Cashew nut contains bioactive compounds that modulate satiety and food intake, but its effects on body fat during energy restriction remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the effects of cashew nut and cashew nut oil on body fat (primary outcome) as well as adiposity, cardiometabolic and liver function markers (secondary outcomes). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An eight-week (8-wk) randomized controlled-feeding study involved 68 adults with overweight/obesity (40 women, BMI: 33 ± 4 kg/m2). Participants were randomly assigned to one of the energy-restricted (-500 kcal/d) groups: control (CT, free-nuts), cashew nut (CN, 30 g/d), or cashew nut oil (OL, 30 mL/d). Body weight, body composition, and blood collection were assessed at the baseline and endpoint of the study. RESULTS: After 8-wk, all groups reduced significantly body fat (CT: -3.1 ± 2.8 kg; CN: -3.3 ± 2.7 kg; OL: -1.8 ± 2.6 kg), body weight (CT: -4.2 ± 3.8 kg; CN: -3.9 ± 3.1 kg; OL: -3.4 ± 2.4 kg), waist (CT: -5.1 ± 4.6 cm; CN: -3.9 ± 3.9 cm; OL: -3.7 ± 5.3 cm) and hip circumferences (CT: -2.9 ± 3.0 cm; CN: -2.7 ± 3.1 cm; OL: -2.9 ± 2.3 cm). CN-group reduced liver enzymes (AST: -3.1 ± 5.3 U/L; ALT: -6.0 ± 9.9 U/L), while the OL-group reduced LDL-c (-11.5 ± 21.8 mg/dL) and atherogenic index (-0.2 ± 0.5). Both intervention groups decreased neck circumference (CN: -1.0 ± 1.2 cm; OL: -0.5 ± 1.2 cm) and apo B (CN: -6.6 ± 10.7 mg/dL; OL: -7.0 ± 15.3 mg/dL). CONCLUSION: After an 8-wk energy-restricted intervention, all groups reduced body fat (kg), weight, and some others adiposity indicators, with no different effect of cashew nut or cashew nut oil. However, participants in the intervention groups experienced additional reductions in atherogenic marker, liver function biomarkers, and cardiovascular risk factors (neck circumference and apo B levels), with these effects observed across the OL group, CN group, and both intervention groups, respectively.Clinical trial registration:https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-8xzkyp2, identifier 8xzkyp2.