Background/Aims: Epidemiological evidence indicates an inverse association between nut consumption and obesity, inflammation, hyperlipidaemia and glucose intolerance. We sought to investigate whether daily consumption of hi-oleic peanuts compared with a nut free diet improved adiposity and cardio-metabolic risk markers. Methods: Sixty one healthy participants (mean ± SD age 65 ± 1 years, BMI 31 ± 1 kg/m 2 ) consumed hi-oleic peanuts (56 g/day for 32 women; 84 g/d for 29 men) or a nut free diet

more »

... or 12 weeks, in a randomised cross-over design. Body mass, body composition (measured by dual emission x-ray absorptiometry), C-reactive protein (CRP), lipids, glucose and insulin were assessed at baseline and at the end of each 12-week period. Repeated measures analysis controlling for baseline was used to compare the two diets. Results: Energy intake was 9 % higher (780 kJ, p < 0.05), with no difference in energy expenditure following the peanut phase compared with the control diet. This was attributed to a 23% (22 g) increase in fat intake (p < 0.001), predominantly monounsaturated (20 g, p < 0.05). Despite the greater energy and monounsaturated fat intakes during the peanut phase compared with the nut free diet, there were no differences in body weight, body composition and other cardio-metabolic risk markers (lipids, CRP, glucose and insulin). Conclusions: Consumption of hi-oleic peanuts did not alter cardio-metabolic biomarkers or body composition despite the additional energy and monounsaturated fat intake. It is possible that incomplete nutrient absorption occurred, resulting in reduced energy utilisation from the peanuts. Funding source(s): ARC, Peanut Company of Australia.