Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
Does Medication Status Impact the Effectiveness of Nuts in Altering Blood Pressure and Lipids? A Systematic Review
Hoi Y Wong1, Alison M Coates1, Sharayah Carter1,2
1Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
Context:
Nut consumption is attributed to improvements in risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including high blood pressure (BP) and dyslipidemia. However, it is unclear whether these effects are altered with concurrent treatment with BP and lipid-lowering medication.
Objective:
We sought to investigate the effects of the consumption of whole tree nuts and peanuts (collectively termed nuts) on BP and lipids, and whether BP and lipid-lowering medication use alters these effects.
Data Sources:
The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched through June 21, 2023, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of nut consumption on BP and/or lipids.
Data Extraction:
Random effects meta-analyses (mean difference, 95% confidence interval [CI]) were conducted, with subgroup analyses based on reported participant use of BP or lipid-lowering medication, including medicated, unmedicated, unreported (ie, use not specified), and mixed (ie, included combined data from medicated and unmedicated participants). A total of 115 studies were included in the review, of which 109 were meta-analysed.
Data Analysis:
Nut consumption significantly reduced triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B, with no effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or blood pressure. Few studies were conducted in medicated participants only (n = 1 for lipid outcomes only), and for the studies including both medicated and unmedicated participants (ie, mixed), outcomes by medication use were not reported. Significant differences in TG and apolipoprotein B were observed between medication use groups, with nut consumption resulting in the largest reductions in unmedicated participants. Strong heterogeneity was observed with no evidence of publication bias.
Conclusions:
Lipid-lowering, but not BP-lowering benefits of nut consumption were observed; however, few studies reported the effect based on participants' medication status. Future studies are required to determine if there are additional benefits of including nuts in the diet of medicated patients with cardiovascular disease.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO registration code CRD42022296849.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Factors affecting Blood pressure
Physiological Factors:
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
01:16Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers
Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow....
01:25Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
01:15Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...