Association of nut and legume consumption with Framingham 10 year risk of general cardiovascular disease in older adult men: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Given the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older adults, especially in men compared to women, the aim of this study was to examine nut and legume consumption in relation to Framingham risk score (FRS) and cardiovascular risk factors in older adult men.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 267 men aged 60-74 years old. Diet was measured using a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire. We used FRS to predict a 10-year chance of developing CVD among participants.

RESULTS

Nut consumption was inversely associated with serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (Odds ratio (OR): 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17, 0.59; P < 0.001) and directly associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.18, 3.89; P = 0.001). In addition, higher intake of legumes was associated with lower serum levels of LDL-C (OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.49; P < 0.001) and higher serum levels of HDL-C (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.20, 3.72; P = 0.005). However, no associations were observed between nuts and legumes on FRS and other CVD risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, nut and legume consumption was associated with higher serum levels of HDL-C and lower serum levels of LDL-C. Future studies are required to elucidate the association between nut and legume consumption and CVD risk factors to characterize gender differences.