호두의 혈중 지질 수준 및 혈관 건강 개선 기능성을 평가하기 위하여 메타 분석을 실시하였다. 2014년 7월 9일 기준으로 DB 검색을 통해 426건의 자료를 수집하여, 선정/제외 기준에 따라 선별한 결과 총 19건 (n = 1,040)의 연구가 분석에 포함되었다. 호두를 일상 식사에서 일부 지방 급원 또는 열량을 대체하여 섭취하였을 때, 총 콜레스테롤, 저밀도 콜레스테롤, 중성지방 수준 및 혈류 매개 혈관 확장능을 각각 -0.124mmol/l, -0.085 mmol/l, -0.080 mmol/l, +1.313 % 수준으로 대조군 대비 유의하게 개선시키는 것으로 분석되었다.
Purpose: Walnut is known to have unique favorable fatty acids, phytochemicals, and other nutrient profiles. As a result, there has been growing interest in evaluation of its health benefit related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although inverse associations of nut consumption and risk factors of cardiovascular disease have been reported in many epidemiological studies and qualitative reviews, few meta-analysis studies have been reported. This meta-analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of a walnut-enhanced diet on CVD risk factors. Methods: We searched Pubmed, Cochrane, Science Direct, and KISS (Korean studies Information Service System) through July 2014. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on 17 trials reporting total cholesterol (TC), 14 trials reporting LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), 15 trials reporting HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), 17 trials reporting triglyceride (TG), and four trials reporting flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Results: In meta-analysis, intake of a walnut-enhanced diet resulted in significantly lowered TC, LDL-C, and TG by -0.124 mmol/l (95% CI, -0.209, -0.039; p = 0.004), -0.085 mmol/lL (95% CI, -0.167, -0.004; p = l0.039), and -0.080 mmol/l (95% CI, -0.155, -0.004; p = 0.039), respectively. The overall pooled estimate of the effect on FMD was +1.313% (95% CI, 0.744, 1.882, p = 0.000). HDL-C was not affected by walnut intake. No statistical heterogeneity was observed for any analysis. Results of funnel plots and Egger’s regression suggested a low likelihood of publication bias in all biomarkers (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this meta-analysis provide consistent evidence that walnut-enhanced diet intake reduces the CVD risk factors.