Acute consumption of a shake containing cashew and Brazil nuts did not affect appetite in overweight subjects: a randomized, cross-over study

• Published in: European journal of nutrition Vol. 60; no. 8; pp. 4321 - 4330
• Main Authors: Costa, Mirian Aparecida de Campos, Hermsdorff, Helen Hermana Miranda, Caldas, Ana Paula Silva, Rocha, Daniela Mayumi Usuda Prado, da Silva, Alessandra, de Oliveira, Leandro Licursi, Bressan, Josefina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: acute effects; Anacardiaceae; Anacardium occidentale; Appetite; Bertholletia excelsa; Body weight; Brazil; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Clinical trials; cross-over studies; Energy intake; Epidemiology; Food intake; Functional foods & nutraceuticals; lunch; Nutrition; Nuts; Obesity; Original Contribution; Overweight; protocols; Satiety; sensation; Brazil; Satiety; Obesity; Brazil nuts; Cashew nuts; Hunger; Food intake
• ISSN: 1436-6207; 1436-6215; 1436-6215
• DOI: 10.1007/s00394-021-02560-w

Purpose Evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies suggests that nut consumption provides satiety and may contribute to the management of obesity. However, the effect of acute intake of nuts on appetite responses remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of a shake containing 30 g of cashew nuts ( Anacardium occidentale L .) and 15 g of Brazil nuts ( Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K ) on appetite responses in overweight subjects. Methods This was a clinical, randomized, controlled, single-blind, cross-over, pilot study. On two non-consecutive test days, 15 subjects received a shake containing nuts, and a shake absent of nuts matched for energy and macronutrient content. Subjective appetite sensation was evaluated by visual analogue scales (VAS). Food intake was measured by weighing the lunch served at the end of each morning-test, which subjects ate ad libitum. Total energy intake was estimated by food records. This study is registered on the Brazilian Registers of Clinical Trials—ReBEC (protocol: U1111-1203-9891). Results We observed no significant difference in subjective appetite sensations between the groups. Food intake at lunch, as well as energy intake throughout the day also did not differ between the treatments. Conclusion Our results suggest that the acute intake of a shake containing nuts was not able to enhance satiety, compared to a shake matched for energy and macronutrient content. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the satiety mechanisms of nuts intake.