Nuts, Energy Balance and Body Weight

David J Baer; Michelle Dalton; John Blundell; Graham Finlayson; Frank B Hu

doi:10.3390/nu15051162

Nuts, Energy Balance and Body Weight

Nutrients. 2023 Feb 25;15(5):1162. doi: 10.3390/nu15051162.

Authors

David J Baer¹, Michelle Dalton², John Blundell³, Graham Finlayson³, Frank B Hu⁴

Affiliations

¹ US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
² School of Psychology, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds LS18 5HD, UK.
³ School of Psychology, Appetite Control and Energy Balance Research Group, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
⁴ Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Abstract

Over several decades, the health benefits of consuming nuts have been investigated, resulting in a large body of evidence that nuts can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The consumption of nuts, being a higher-fat plant food, is restricted by some in order to minimize weight gain. In this review, we discuss several factors related to energy intake from nuts, including food matrix and its impact on digestibility, and the role of nuts in regulating appetite. We review the data from randomized controlled trials and observational studies conducted to examine the relationship between nut intake and body weight or body mass index. Consistently, the evidence from RCTs and observational cohorts indicates that higher nut consumption does not cause greater weight gain; rather, nuts may be beneficial for weight control and prevention of long-term weight gain. Multiple mechanisms likely contribute to these findings, including aspects of nut composition which affect nutrient and energy availability as well as satiety signaling.

Keywords: appetite; body weight; calories; energy; food intake; mastication; nuts; obesity.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Appetite
Body Weight
Energy Intake* / physiology
Humans
Nuts*
Observational Studies as Topic
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Satiation
Weight Gain

Grants and funding

The NUTS 2022 conference was organized by the Rovira i Virgili University, with all the expenses of the organization covered by Barcelo Congresos, including the fees related to publishing the Proceedings in Nutrients. Barcelo Congresos SA has received funds from the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council (INC). Neither the researchers attending the NUTS 2022 Conference nor the Rovira i Virgili University have received funds from the INC. FBH’s travel expenses and accommodation have been covered by Barcelo Congresos. Researchers did not receive any additional financial support related to their participation in the NUTS 2022 conference. Sponsors did not have any role in organizing the conference, selecting or inviting the speakers nor in the writing or reviewing the proceedings of the conference.