This is a summary of an interesting recent study on the possible benefits of nuts for CKD patients (Wang, 2023).
Why is this important?
Nuts have been found to have beneficial effects on some diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, in several studies. However, there are few studies to show the effects of nuts on chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What did the study show?
The authors analysed data from 6,072 individuals (aged ≥20 years) who participated in another study called NHANES 2003–2006. Data on death were provided by the CDC, an important US health organisation.
They found consuming nuts 1-6 times per week was associated with a lower likelihood of CKD. In addition, higher nut consumption was significantly associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in people without CKD. However, for the CKD population, only consuming nuts 1-6 per week was linked to a lower all-cause mortality.
How does this affect you?
The authors recommended CKD patients should have an adequate intake of nuts 1-6 times per week. Though they did admit further prospective studies should be carried out to confirm this conclusion.
Note. CKDEx suggests that such studies are interpreted with caution. There are other possible explanations. Better outcomes in ‘nut eaters’ could be due to some other behaviour that these patients (e.g. less smoking) exhibit.
Last Reviewed on 29 February 2024