Researchers looked at studies about whether eating nuts could help people with chronic kidney disease (a condition where kidneys don’t work as well as they should). They found four studies involving 1,270 patients and discovered that certain nuts like walnuts and Brazil nuts might help reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and improve blood pressure. The research suggests that eating nuts could even help people with kidney disease live longer. However, scientists say more research is needed before doctors can confidently recommend specific nuts to their kidney disease patients.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating different types of nuts could improve health markers and outcomes in people with chronic kidney disease
  • Who participated: Four research studies involving a total of 1,270 patients who have chronic kidney disease (a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste from the blood)
  • Key finding: Eating certain nuts, especially walnuts and Brazil nuts, appeared to reduce inflammation, lower bad cholesterol, improve blood pressure, and was linked to living longer in people with kidney disease
  • What it means for you: If you have kidney disease, adding nuts to your diet might be helpful, but talk to your doctor first since kidney disease requires careful management of certain nutrients. This research is promising but not yet strong enough for doctors to make firm recommendations

The Research Details

This was a systematic review, which means researchers searched through multiple medical databases (Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library) to find all studies about nuts and kidney disease. They searched on two dates (May 27, 2024 and February 13, 2025) to make sure they found the most recent information. They looked for any type of study without limiting by date, language, or study design.

Out of 2,521 studies they found, only four met their strict criteria for quality and relevance. Three of these were clinical trials (where researchers gave some people nuts and compared them to others who didn’t eat nuts), and one was a cohort study (where researchers followed people over time and tracked what they ate). The studies looked at different types of nuts and measured different health markers, which made it harder to compare results directly.

A systematic review is important because it combines information from multiple studies to give a bigger picture than any single study could provide. This approach helps identify patterns and trends across different research projects. For kidney disease patients, this matters because kidney disease is complex and requires careful dietary management, so understanding how different foods affect health is crucial.

All four studies included in this review had moderate-to-high risk of bias, which means there were some concerns about how well they were designed or conducted. This is important to know because it means the findings are promising but not definitive. The studies also looked at different nuts and different health markers, making it difficult to draw strong conclusions. More high-quality research is needed to confirm these findings.

What the Results Show

The research found that Brazil nuts and baru almond oil appeared to reduce markers of oxidative stress (damage to cells) and inflammation (swelling and irritation in the body) in kidney disease patients. These are important because inflammation and oxidative stress can make kidney disease worse.

Walnuts showed particularly promising results, reducing LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol that can clog arteries) and lowering blood pressure in kidney disease patients. Importantly, eating walnuts did not cause problems with electrolyte balance (minerals like potassium and sodium that are carefully monitored in kidney disease).

When researchers looked at all types of nuts together, they found an association with reduced all-cause mortality, meaning people who ate nuts had lower death rates from any cause. This is a significant finding, though it’s important to note this was based on limited data.

The studies measured various health markers including lipid profiles (cholesterol and fat levels), blood pressure, inflammation markers, and oxidative stress indicators. Different studies focused on different markers, which is why the findings varied somewhat. The fact that multiple types of nuts showed benefits suggests that nuts in general may be helpful for kidney disease patients, though specific nuts may have different effects.

This research builds on existing knowledge that nuts are healthy foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Previous studies in the general population have shown nuts are good for heart health and reducing inflammation. This systematic review extends that knowledge to the specific population of people with chronic kidney disease, suggesting that these benefits may apply to them as well. However, kidney disease requires special dietary considerations, so these findings are particularly valuable for this specific group.

The main limitation is that only four studies met the criteria for inclusion, and all had moderate-to-high risk of bias. The studies used different types of nuts, different amounts, and measured different health markers, making it hard to draw firm conclusions. The sample sizes were relatively small, and most studies were short-term. There’s also limited information about how different types of nuts affect kidney function specifically. More large, well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the best types and amounts of nuts for kidney disease patients.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, eating nuts may be beneficial for people with chronic kidney disease, particularly walnuts and Brazil nuts. However, confidence in these recommendations is moderate because the research is still limited. Anyone with kidney disease should consult their doctor or a kidney disease specialist before making dietary changes, as kidney disease requires careful management of nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and sodium. A kidney specialist can recommend appropriate types and amounts of nuts based on individual kidney function and lab values.

People with chronic kidney disease should pay attention to this research, as should their doctors and dietitians. This is particularly relevant for people in early to moderate stages of kidney disease. People without kidney disease don’t need to change their nut consumption based on this research, though nuts are generally healthy. People with advanced kidney disease (stages 4-5) should be especially careful and consult their kidney specialist before eating nuts, as restrictions on certain nutrients become more important.

The studies reviewed looked at relatively short time periods. Benefits like reduced inflammation and improved cholesterol levels might appear within weeks to a few months of regular nut consumption. However, effects on blood pressure and long-term outcomes like mortality would take longer to observe. Most people should expect to see changes in blood work within 2-3 months of consistent nut consumption, but individual results vary.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily nut consumption (type and amount in grams) and correlate with weekly blood pressure readings and monthly lab work (cholesterol, inflammation markers if available). Set a goal of 1-2 ounces of nuts per day and monitor consistency.
  • Add a specific type of nut to your daily routine (e.g., a small handful of walnuts with breakfast or Brazil nuts as a snack). Start with small amounts and gradually increase while monitoring how you feel and checking with your doctor about any lab changes.
  • Log nut intake daily, track blood pressure weekly, and review kidney function labs (creatinine, potassium, phosphorus) at regular doctor visits. Note any changes in energy, swelling, or other symptoms. Share this data with your kidney disease care team to ensure nuts are working well for your specific situation.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Chronic kidney disease requires individualized dietary management based on your specific kidney function, lab values, and medical history. Before making any dietary changes, including adding nuts to your diet, consult with your nephrologist (kidney specialist) or registered dietitian who specializes in kidney disease. This is especially important if you have advanced kidney disease or take medications that interact with nutrients in nuts. The findings presented here are based on limited research with moderate-to-high risk of bias, and more studies are needed to confirm these results.