Cashew nuts and blood cholesterol in people
What it found
In people, taking cashew nut supplements alone did not significantly change levels of LDL, HDL, total cholesterol or triglycerides.
The review pooled six randomised trials with 531 participants.
What they found
Studies in people
Total cholesterol
Cashew nut supplementation alone made no significant difference to total cholesterol in people.
Triglycerides
There was no significant change in triglycerides with cashew nut supplementation in people.
HDL cholesterol
HDL cholesterol showed no significant change in people taking cashew nut supplements.
LDL cholesterol
LDL cholesterol also showed no significant change with cashew nut supplementation in people.
What the authors conclude
“The results of this analysis demonstrate that treatment with cashew nut supplementation alone did not significantly change serum levels of LDL, HDL, TC, or TG.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that treatment with cashew nut supplementation alone did not significantly change serum levels of LDL, HDL, TC, or TG.
- Their analysis demonstrates that cashew nut supplementation alone did not significantly change these blood fat levels.
How it was done
Nuts appear to have beneficial effects on heart disease markers, and some studies suggest cashews may help blood fat levels, but the results in the literature were inconclusive.
Two reviewers searched five electronic databases from their start until June 2019 with no language limit. They found six randomised clinical trials with 531 participants, and three of those trials went into the meta-analysis.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This review can only report on the trials it found, which were mostly short-term and varied in how cashews were given.
- It cannot show what happens with cashew nuts as part of a whole diet or over many years.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
The paper
- Title
- Effect of Cashew Nut on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Type
- Systematic review and meta-analysisThe authors follow a set, published method to find every relevant study, then combine the numbers from them into one result.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Morvaridzadeh M, Sepidarkish M, Farsi F, et al (2020). Effect of Cashew Nut on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Complementary medicine research. doi:10.1159/000506348PubMed 32160624DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error