Senior Lecturer and Research Dietitian, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University
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As a high-calorie, fat-rich food, it’s easy to see why weight-conscious individuals may hesitate to snack on nuts. However, closer inspection shows that nuts are not only energy and nutrient-dense powerhouses, but they can also help you control your weight.
Deakin University lecturer and Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) research dietitian Dr Sze-Yen Tan has spent years looking into the paradox of nuts – that while they’re loaded with fat (walnuts have 69% fat, for instance, and pistachios around 51%), studies show regular nut eaters don’t appear to gain weight and that nuts may help with weight loss if they’re eaten in an energy-controlled diet.
Dr Tan’s research currently focuses on understanding the effects of nuts on the management and prevention of other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and inflammation. He is also interested in the potential benefits of nuts in improving the nutrition status and health of older adults.
‘There is no “magic effect” of nuts on maintaining body weight. The protein, fat and fibre content of nuts help regulate our appetite and food intake, but the fats in nuts are not completely digested and absorbed by the body,’ he says.
Dr Tan adds that some research shows nuts can increase the body’s energy expenditure and use of fat as an energy source. ‘The unsaturated fats, vitamins and minerals in nuts are beneficial in the prevention and management of other diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cognitive function, and mental health,’ he says.
In previous studies, Dr Tan and his US-based colleagues conducted a four-week study, providing almonds for people to eat either with their meals or as standalone snacks. The results? Almonds lowered blood glucose levels and suppressed appetite, but the effect was the biggest when they were eaten alone as snacks.
'There is no “magic effect” of nuts on maintaining body weight. The protein, fat and fibre content of nuts help regulate our appetite and food intake, but the fats in nuts are not completely digested and absorbed by the body.'Dr Sze-Yen Tan,
Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University
In another study, the inclusion of almonds as part of a weight loss diet led to weight loss of 3.6kg over 12 weeks, and an even greater loss of body fat. ‘More importantly, the participants lost the body fat primarily in the abdominal area, which is a known risk factor of metabolic diseases,’ Dr Tan says.
In other previous nut studies, Dr Tan has found that walnuts increased the utilisation of fat as an energy source in the body, which is favourable for weight management. He and his colleagues also found that walnut consumption over 12 months improved insulin release in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Dr Tan has a few suggestions on how you can embrace the health benefits of nuts within your own eating habits:
When it comes to which particular type of nut we should be going for, Dr Tan says there is no stand-out preference. ‘All types of nuts share similar nutrient profiles,’ Dr Tan explains.
‘There are some slight differences; for example, walnuts are higher in polyunsaturated fats while all other nuts are relatively rich in monounsaturated fats, and almonds are higher in vitamin E. But all nuts are still beneficial for your health.’
Senior Lecturer and Research Dietitian, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University