Effects of walnut intake on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

The impact of walnuts on blood pressure (BP) is not a well‐established fact. Although several studies have assessed the effects of walnut consumption on BP, results are conflicting. Thus, we examined the effects of walnut doses and length of supplementation on BP. Biomedical databases were searched...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Phytotherapy research 2020-11, Vol.34 (11), p.2921-2931
Main Authors: Li, Jiayang, Jiang, Bo, O. Santos, Heitor, Santos, Dinamene, Singh, Ambrish, Wang, Lei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blood pressure
Blood Pressure - drug effects
cardiovascular risk
Clinical trials
Consumption
diastolic blood pressure
Diet
Dietary supplements
Humans
Hypertension - drug therapy
Ingestion
Juglans - chemistry
Meta-analysis
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Reduction
Subgroups
systolic blood pressure
walnut
Walnuts
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Summary:The impact of walnuts on blood pressure (BP) is not a well‐established fact. Although several studies have assessed the effects of walnut consumption on BP, results are conflicting. Thus, we examined the effects of walnut doses and length of supplementation on BP. Biomedical databases were searched for published trials that compared walnut‐enhanced diet to control diet. Eighteen trials met eligibility criteria (n = 1,799). Overall, walnut consumption neither did alter SBP (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 0.08 mmHg; 95% CI: −0.69, 0.85) nor DBP (WMD: 0.08 CI: −0.26, 0.42). In subgroup analyses, walnut ingestion ≤40 g was statistically correlated with reduction in SBP (WMD: −0.53 mmHg, 95% CI: −0.79, −0.26) and DBP (WMD: −0.191 mmHg, 95% CI: −0.384, −0.034). Moreover, the length of intervention ≥8 weeks was linked to a significant reduction in SBP (WMD: −1.18 mmHg, 95% CI: −1.30, −1.06). Following dose–response evaluation, walnut intake significantly changed SBP (p = .015) and DBP (p = .026) through a nonlinear fashion at walnut dose up to 40 g/d. Nevertheless, these statistical results cannot be translated into clinical practice, once the changes expressed as WMD are slight taking into consideration the absolute values of BP categories. In conclusion, this meta‐analysis does not support walnut consumption as a BP‐lowering strategy.
ISSN:0951-418X
1099-1573
DOI:10.1002/ptr.6740