Treatment
BLIND
Participants received 28 d of 30 g mixed tree nuts (15 g walnuts, 7.5 g almonds, 7.5 g hazelnuts) and 28 d of placebo (microcrystalline cellulose) with 4-wk wash out between treatments. Treatment order was determined using computer-generated random allocation conducted by an independent 3rd party. In order to blind participants to the treatment received, they were informed that the aim of the study was to explore effects of “components of nuts” and thus placebo capsules were provided alongside nuts to facilitate this deception. Treatments were provided as: Active treatment (NUTS), whereby participants were instructed to consume 1 × 30 g bag of nuts and 1 (placebo) capsule per day; and placebo (PLA), whereby participants were instructed to consume 2 (placebo) capsules per day. Participants were directed to take their treatment daily for a period of 28 d. Success of blinding was assessed via treatment guess at the end of the final visit. Compliance was assessed via treatment diaries, weighing of returned nuts, and pill counting and was conducted by a researcher who was not otherwise involved with the study. This researcher also distributed and received returned treatments in order to maintain blinding of researchers.