A shake with cashew and Brazil nuts decreased lipid peroxidation but did not improve antioxidant status in individuals with overweight or obesity: A randomized crossover clinical trial

• Published in: Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases Vol. 35; no. 10; p. 104131
• Main Authors: Costa, Mirian A.C., Rocha, Daniela M.U.P., Caldas, Ana P.S., Bonifácio, Dandara B., da Silva, Alessandra, Pinto, Sônia L., Hermsdorff, Helen H.M., de Oliveira, Leandro L., Bressan, Josefina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.10.2025
• Subjects: Adult; Anacardium; Antioxidants - metabolism; Bertholletia; Biomarkers - blood; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Cholesterol; Cross-Over Studies; Female; Humans; Insulin; Linoleic acid; Linolenic acid; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipids - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Nuts; Obesity - blood; Obesity - diagnosis; Obesity - diet therapy; Obesity - physiopathology; Oleic acid; Overweight - blood; Overweight - diagnosis; Oxidative Stress; Palmitic acid; Postprandial Period; Single-Blind Method; Time Factors; Young Adult; Linolenic acid; Palmitic acid; Oleic acid; Insulin; Cholesterol; Linoleic acid
• ISSN: 0939-4753; 1590-3729; 1590-3729
• DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2025.104131

Nuts are recognized for their potential health benefits, yet little is known about their postprandial impact on metabolic responses and oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the acute effect of a shake containing a mixture of 30g cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.) and 15g Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.) on glucose levels, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress markers in individuals with overweight or obesity. This was a clinical, randomized, controlled, single-blind, crossover study. On two test days, fifteen subjects consumed either a control (without nuts) or a test shake. Metabolic biomarkers were analyzed at fasting and 60, 120, and 240 min after shake intake. Compared to the control, the shake with nuts promoted specific changes in oxidative stress and metabolic markers. Differences were observed at 120 min after beverage consumption regarding superoxide dismutase (SOD) (control: 117.7 ± 14.6 vs. test: 82.1 ± 10.0 U/mL; p < 0.05) and at 240 min regarding malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (control: 5.0 ± 0.2 vs. test: 4.4 ± 0.3 μM/mg; p < 0.05). Also, at 240 min postprandial, complement C3 and stearic acid concentrations were higher in the test group than in the control, and a positive correlation was observed between them (p < 0.05). However, no differences were observed when considering time x intervention. Our findings suggest that cashew and Brazil nuts did not promote acute metabolic changes. We highlight that the mixed nuts decreased lipid peroxidation but did not improve antioxidant status in individuals with overweight or obesity. •The acute consumption of mixed nuts decreased lipid peroxidation without a concurrent increase in antioxidant status.•The observed antioxidant properties are likely due to the high number of bioactive compounds in nuts.•Higher complement C3 and stearic acid concentrations were observed following nut intake, with a positive correlation.•This result suggests a potential role of fatty acid composition in influencing the complement C3 response. Registration number for Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: U1111-1203-9891.