A recent study published in the journal ‘Pharmacological Research’ says that consumption of walnut will reduce serum triglycerides in patients with metabolic syndrome. The study collated eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 549 participants and examined the effects of walnut consumption on glucose homeostasis factors (fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c)), lipid profile (triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c)), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations and anthropometric indices (body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC).

Results from the pooled analysis showed a significant reduction in the serum TG concentration (WMD, − 0.1 mmol/L; 95%CI (− 0.3 to − 0.02); p = 0.02; I 2  = 38.6%; p = 0.10). Lipid profile components (TC, LDL-c, and HDL-c), glucose homeostasis markers (FPG, insulin, and HbA1c), hs-CRP levels, anthropometric indices (BW, BMI, and WC) and blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were not influenced by walnut consumption.

The study concluded that walnut consumption reduces serum TG levels in individuals with metabolic syndrome, but it cannot affect other cardiometabolic indices.