Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide. A healthy
diet has an important role in delaying the development of many modifiable risk factors
of CVD, including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high plasma levels of cholesterol,
and glucose. The consumption of various nuts, especially walnuts, may benefit both
primary and secondary prevention due to their bioactive components. This review focuses
on (1) the protective role of walnut consumption on CVD at large (2) and the potential
cellular and molecular mechanisms by which they have beneficial effects on vascular
endothelial function. Walnuts contain many essential ingredients (such as polyunsaturated
fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and vitamin E) necessary for the healthy functioning
of membranes. Since membranes are involved in nearly all processes associated with
life-related function, the main underlying mechanism of walnut-improved cardiovascular
function is likely based on improving membrane composition and function by providing
all of the substrates necessary for membranes, such as cell, mitochondria, Golgi,
nucleus, and so on. In addition to endothelial cell function, all other cells and
membranes are likely to benefit from walnut consumption, suggesting that incorporating
walnuts into the human diet is essential, for example, during higher physical and
mental demand, such as exercise, and may mitigate the risk for the development of
cardiovascular diseases and compensate for the sedentary lifestyle, especially in
those of an older age.
