Intake of Nuts and Seeds Is Associated with a Lower Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in US Adults: Findings from 2005–2018 NHANES.

Background. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease globally. Nuts and seeds, due to their unique nutrient composition, may provide health benefits for the prevention of NAFLD. To date, no research has investigated the association between nut and seed intake and NAFLD prevalence in a non-Mediterranean Western population. Objectives. This study […]

Pecan-Enriched Diets Alter Cholesterol Profiles and Triglycerides in Adults at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease in a Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background: Research indicates that tree nuts are cardioprotective, but studies on pecans are limited. Objectives: We examined the impact of daily pecan consumption on blood lipids and glycemia in adults at-risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: This was a randomized, controlled trial where 56 adults (BMI ≥28 kg/m2 or hypercholesterolemia) were randomly allocated into a […]

Legume Consumption and Gut Microbiome in Elderly Chinese Men and Women.

Background. Legumes, important components of a healthy diet, may exert their health benefits through the influence of the gut microbiome. However, this hypothesis has not been well investigated. Objective. This study aimed to examine the associations between long-term legume consumption and the gut microbiome among elderly Chinese. Methods. The gut microbiome was profiled by 16S […]

Walnut Consumption, Plasma Metabolomics, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.

Background. Walnut consumption is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it is unknown whether plasma metabolites related to walnut consumption are also associated with lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Objectives. The study aimed to identify plasma metabolites associated with walnut consumption and evaluate the prospective associations between […]

Food Technology and Plant-Based Diets.

In the 1970s, the possibility was raised that global demands for protein would fall below the supply, and thus the concept of the “protein gap” evolved (1). This controversial theory prompted a search for new protein sources, and from this emerged a fungal protein, Fusarium venenatum, a mycoprotein that could be spun into many shapes and […]

Metabolic Syndrome Features and Excess Weight Were Inversely Associated with Nut Consumption after 1-Year Follow-Up in the PREDIMED-Plus Study.

Background. High nut consumption has been previously associated with decreased prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) regardless of race and dietary patterns. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess whether changes in nut consumption over a 1-y follow-up are associated with changes in features of MetS in a middle-aged and older Spanish population at […]

Replacing Saturated Fats with Unsaturated Fats from Walnuts or Vegetable Oils Lowers Atherogenic Lipoprotein Classes Without Increasing Lipoprotein(a).

Background: Walnuts have established lipid-/lipoprotein-lowering properties; however, their effect on lipoprotein subclasses has not been investigated. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which walnuts improve lipid/lipoprotein concentrations are incompletely understood. Objectives: We aimed to examine, as exploratory outcomes of this trial, the effect of replacing SFAs with unsaturated fats from walnuts or vegetable oils on lipoprotein subclasses, […]

Walnuts and Vegetable Oils Containing Oleic Acid Differentially Affect the Gut Microbiota and Associations with Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Follow-up of a Randomized, Controlled, Feeding Trial in Adults at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: It is unclear whether the favorable effects of walnuts on the gut microbiota are attributable to the fatty acids, including α-linolenic acid (ALA), and/or the bioactive compounds and fiber. Objective: This study examined between-diet gut bacterial differences in individuals at increased cardiovascular risk following diets that replace SFAs with walnuts or vegetable oils. Methods: […]