Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (712 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Botanically, a type of single-seeded fruit in which the pericarp enclosing the seed is a hard woody shell. In common usage the term is used loosely for any hard, oil-rich kernel. Of those commonly eaten, only hazel, filbert, and chestnut are strictly nuts. Walnuts, pecans, almonds, and coconuts are really drupes. Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamias, and cashews are really seeds with a hard shell derived from the testa rather than the pericarp.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Nut.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Fruit; Food
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 4,822 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Nuts” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 1,578 of them (32.7%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 1,672 records.
Reviews account for 531 records (11.0%) and meta-analyses for 111. Randomized controlled trials number 336 (7.0%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 873 |
| 2000-2009 | 699 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,672 |
| 2020 onward | 1,578 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 531 | 11.0% |
| Meta-analyses | 111 | 2.3% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 336 | 7.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Nuts"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
Nuts and Human Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- There has been increasing interest in nuts and their outcome regarding human health.
- Closing excerpt
- This review highlights the effects of nut consumption on the context of human health.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (93 words)
There has been increasing interest in nuts and their outcome regarding human health. The consumption of nuts is frequently associated with reduction in risk factors for chronic diseases. Although nuts are high calorie foods, several studies have reported beneficial effects after nut consumption, due to fatty acid profiles, vegetable proteins, fibers, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and phytosterols with potential antioxidant action. However, the current findings about the benefits of nut consumption on human health have not yet been clearly discussed. This review highlights the effects of nut consumption on the context of human health.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 29207471 · DOI · PMC5748761
Almond Consumption and Processing Affects the Composition of the Gastrointestinal Microbiota of Healthy Adult Men and Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundAlmond processing has been shown to differentially impact metabolizable energy; however, the effect of food form on the gastrointestinal microbiota is under-investigated.
- Closing excerpt
- , roasting, chopping, and grinding into butter) differentially impacted the relative abundances of bacterial genera.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (191 words)
BackgroundAlmond processing has been shown to differentially impact metabolizable energy; however, the effect of food form on the gastrointestinal microbiota is under-investigated.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the interrelationship of almond consumption and processing on the gastrointestinal microbiota.DesignA controlled-feeding, randomized, five-period, crossover study with washouts between diet periods was conducted in healthy adults (n = 18). Treatments included: (1) zero servings/day of almonds (control); (2) 1.5 servings (42 g)/day of whole almonds; (3) 1.5 servings/day of whole, roasted almonds; (4) 1.5 servings/day of roasted, chopped almonds; and (5) 1.5 servings/day of almond butter. Fecal samples were collected at the end of each three-week diet period.ResultsAlmond consumption increased the relative abundances of Lachnospira, Roseburia, and Dialister (p ≤ 0.05). Comparisons between control and the four almond treatments revealed that chopped almonds increased Lachnospira, Roseburia, and Oscillospira compared to control (p Dialister compared to control (p = 0.007). There were no differences between almond butter and control.ConclusionsThese results reveal that almond consumption induced changes in the microbial community composition of the human gastrointestinal microbiota. Furthermore, the degree of almond processing (e.g., roasting, chopping, and grinding into butter) differentially impacted the relative abundances of bacterial genera.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 29373513 · DOI · PMC5852702
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers, Nut-Related Antioxidants, and Cardiovascular Disease [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Atherosclerosis is related to fat accumulation in the arterial walls and vascular stiffening, and results in acute coronary syndrome which is commonly associated with acute myocardial infarction.
- Closing excerpt
- However, clinical trials in humans have not been conclusive, especially with regards to the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (188 words)
Atherosclerosis is related to fat accumulation in the arterial walls and vascular stiffening, and results in acute coronary syndrome which is commonly associated with acute myocardial infarction. Oxidative stress participates in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thus, the inclusion of food sources of dietary antioxidants, such as different kinds of nuts, may improve biomarkers related to oxidative stress, contributing to a possible reduction in atherosclerosis progression. This article has briefly highlighted the interaction between oxidative stress, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease, in addition to the effect of the consumption of different nuts and related dietary antioxidants-like polyphenols and vitamin E-on biomarkers of oxidative stress in primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention. Studies in vitro suggest that nuts may exert antioxidant effects by DNA repair mechanisms, lipid peroxidation prevention, modulation of the signaling pathways, and inhibition of the MAPK pathways through the suppression of NF-κB and activation of the Nrf2 pathways. Studies conducted in animal models showed the ability of dietary nuts in improving biomarkers of oxidative stress, such as oxLDL and GPx. However, clinical trials in humans have not been conclusive, especially with regards to the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32138220 · DOI · PMC7146201
A Greater Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Supplemented with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Nuts During Pregnancy Is Associated with Improved Offspring Health at Six Years of Age [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Background/Objectives: Children's health may be influenced by maternal eating habits during pregnancy.
- Closing excerpt
- 98)], with both having a p Conclusions: A higher adherence to a MedDiet supplemented with EVOO and nuts during pregnancy is associated with health benefits in offspring at 6 years of age.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (240 words)
Background/Objectives: Children's health may be influenced by maternal eating habits during pregnancy. A Mediterranean diet (MedDiet)-based pattern has been associated with benefits in infectious disease and allergies in children. Methods: From a total 2228 pregnant women evaluated between 2015 and 2017 in the St. Carlos cohort, 1292 women belonging to the intervention group (IG) undertook a MedDiet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and nuts from early on in pregnancy. The control group (CG) consisted of 516 pregnant women who were advised to follow a fat-restricted MedDiet. The modified 12-point Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS) was applied. A total of 1808 (81.2%) children were analyzed at 6 years postpartum. All women from both groups received the same postpartum nutritional recommendations as the IG had during pregnancy. Results: Children from the IG showed lower rates of bronchiolitis and atopic eczema compared to the CG. Children whose mother's MEDAS score was ≥6 at 24-28 GW vs. MEDAS scores p = 0.022] and atopic eczema [311/695 (39.0%) vs. 564/1113 (50.7%); p = 0.039]. The offspring of mothers with MEDAS scores ≥ 8 (n = 176) vs. MEDAS scores ≤ 3 (n = 564) showed a lower relative risk (RR) (95% CI) for developing bronchiolitis [0.75 (0.58-0.97)] and atopic eczema [0.82 (0.69-0.98)], with both having a p Conclusions: A higher adherence to a MedDiet supplemented with EVOO and nuts during pregnancy is associated with health benefits in offspring at 6 years of age.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40431459 · DOI · PMC12113803
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Health benefits of nut consumption [5]
- Research article Oral submucous fibrosis: review on aetiology and pathogenesis [6]
- Research article Consumption of nuts and legumes and risk of incident ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Nut consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies [8]
- Research article Effects of tree nuts on blood lipids, apolipoproteins, and blood pressure: systematic review, meta-analysis, and dose-response of 61 controlled intervention trials [9]
- Research article Review of nut phytochemicals, fat-soluble bioactives, antioxidant components and health effects [10]
References
- de Souza RGM, Schincaglia RM, Pimentel GD, Mota JF. Nuts and Human Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review. . 2017. PMID 29207471 · DOI · PMC5748761
- Holscher HD, Taylor AM, Swanson KS, Novotny JA, Baer DJ. Almond Consumption and Processing Affects the Composition of the Gastrointestinal Microbiota of Healthy Adult Men and Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. . 2018. PMID 29373513 · DOI · PMC5852702
- Lorenzon Dos Santos J, Quadros AS, Weschenfelder C, Garofallo SB, Marcadenti A. Oxidative Stress Biomarkers, Nut-Related Antioxidants, and Cardiovascular Disease. . 2020. PMID 32138220 · DOI · PMC7146201
- Del Valle L, Melero V, Bodas A, Martín O'Connor R, Ramos-Levi A, Barabash A, et al.. A Greater Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Supplemented with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Nuts During Pregnancy Is Associated with Improved Offspring Health at Six Years of Age. . 2025. PMID 40431459 · DOI · PMC12113803
- Ros E. Health benefits of nut consumption. Nutrients. 2010. PMID 22254047 · DOI · PMC3257681
- Tilakaratne WM, Klinikowski MF, Saku T, Peters TJ, Warnakulasuriya S. Oral submucous fibrosis: review on aetiology and pathogenesis. Oral Oncol. 2006. PMID 16311067 · DOI
- Afshin A, Micha R, Khatibzadeh S, Mozaffarian D. Consumption of nuts and legumes and risk of incident ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014. PMID 24898241 · DOI · PMC4144102
- Aune D, Keum N, Giovannucci E, Fadnes LT, Boffetta P, Greenwood DC, et al.. Nut consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMC Med. 2016. PMID 27916000 · DOI · PMC5137221
- Del Gobbo LC, Falk MC, Feldman R, Lewis K, Mozaffarian D. Effects of tree nuts on blood lipids, apolipoproteins, and blood pressure: systematic review, meta-analysis, and dose-response of 61 controlled intervention trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015. PMID 26561616 · DOI · PMC4658458
- Alasalvar C, Bolling BW. Review of nut phytochemicals, fat-soluble bioactives, antioxidant components and health effects. Br J Nutr. 2015. PMID 26148924 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.