Almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) skins as a potential source of bioactive polyphenols.
An exhaustive study of the phenolic composition of almond ( Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) skins was carried out in order to evaluate their potential application as a functional food ingredient. Using the HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS technique; a total of 33 compounds corresponding to flavanols; flavonols; dihydroflavonols and flavanones; and other nonflavonoid compounds were identified. Peaks corresponding […]
Elemental composition and chemical characteristics of five edible nuts (almond; Brazil; pecan; macadamia and walnut) consumed in Southern Africa.
The total elemental concentrations and proximate chemical composition of five different tree nuts; almond (Prunus dulcus); Brazil (Bertholletia excelsa); pecan (Carya pecan); macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) and walnut (Juglans nigra) that are consumed in South African households were investigated. In addition; six physicochemical properties of the extracted nut oils; namely acid value; iodine value; saponification value; […]
Shell cracking strength in almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] D.A. Webb.) and its implication in uses as a value-added product
Researchers are currently developing new value-added uses for almond shells; an abundant agricultural by-product. Almond varieties are distinguished by processors as being either hard or soft shelled; but these two broad classes of almond also exhibit varietal diversity in shell morphology and physical characters. By defining more precisely the physical and chemical characteristics of almond […]
Almond consumption reduces oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in male smokers.
Smoking increases the risk of several chronic diseases associated with elevated oxidative stress status. Almonds are a good source of antioxidant nutrients and may diminish smoking-related biomarkers of oxidative stress. We investigated whether almond consumption decreases biomarkers of oxidative stress in young male smokers. We conducted a randomized; crossover clinical trial with 60 healthy male […]
Effect of diets enriched in almonds on insulin action and serum lipids in adults with normal glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND: Nuts appear to have cardiovascular benefits but their effect in diabetic patients is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess effects of almond-enriched diets on insulin sensitivity and lipids in patients with normoglycemia or type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Study 1 assessed the effect of almonds on insulin sensitivity in 20 free-living healthy volunteers who […]
Health Benefits of Almonds
The international marketing and cutting-edge research on the nutritional benefits of almonds is discussed. The research reports show that almonds are part of cholesterol-lowering diet even if the resulting diet is slightly higher in fat. The alcohol-based solvents are used for the initial extraction of almond skins, while two steps which involves solvent extraction are […]
Combined effects of a dietary portfolio of plant sterols; vegetable protein; viscous fibre and almonds on LDL particle size
Studies conducted in the last 20 years have led to the identification of small dense LDL as an important risk factor for CVD. Consumption of plant sterols; soyabean proteins; viscous fibre and nuts are known to modulate the risk of CVD favourably through their cholesterol (Chol)-lowering properties; both independently and more recently in combination. Nevertheless; […]
Energy availability from almonds: implications for weight loss and cardiovascular health. A randomized controlled dose-response trial.
A pilot study on the effects of almond consumption on DNA damage and oxidative stress in smokers.
The effects of almond consumption on DNA damage and oxidative stress among cigarette smokers were studied. Thirty healthy adult male regular smokers were randomly divided into three groups; 10 subjects per group. Group A (control group) did not receive any almonds. Subjects in Groups B and C received 3 oz and 6 oz (84 g […]
Dose response of almonds on coronary heart disease risk factors: blood lipids; oxidized low-density lipoproteins; lipoprotein(a); homocysteine; and pulmonary nitric oxide: a randomized; controlled; crossover trial.
BACKGROUND: Although recent studies have indicated that nut consumption may improve levels of blood lipids; nuts are not generally recommended as snacks for hyperlipidemic subjects because of their high fat content. Furthermore; the effective dose is still unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: The dose-response effects of whole almonds; taken as snacks; were compared with low-saturated fat […]