Tree Nuts and Peanuts as a Source of Natural Antioxidants in our Daily Diet.

Tree nuts and peanuts are healthful foods with a track record of helping to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases, most notably cardiovascular disease. At the point of consumption, all nuts contain low moisture and ≥ 50% lipid contents, but this is where similarities end. The levels of key nutrients and bioactives including vitamin C, […]

The Mediterranean diet decreases prothrombotic microvesicle release in asymptomatic individuals at high cardiovascular risk.

Background & aims: Circulating microvesicles (cMV) are small phospholipid-rich vesicles that contribute to the atherothrombotic process, and are biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden and progression. Diet is a cornerstone for CVD prevention, but dietary effects on cMV shedding are poorly characterized. We aimed at assessing the long term effects of a Mediterranean diet compared […]

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers, Nut-Related Antioxidants, and Cardiovascular Disease.

Atherosclerosis is related to fat accumulation in the arterial walls and vascular stiffening, and results in acute coronary syndrome which is commonly associated with acute myocardial infarction. Oxidative stress participates in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thus, the inclusion of food sources of dietary antioxidants, such as different kinds of nuts, may improve biomarkers related to […]

Does ‘activating’nuts affect nutrient bioavailability?.

Claims in the lay literature suggest soaking nuts enhances mineral bioavailability. Research on legumes and grains indicate soaking reduces phytate levels, however, there is no evidence to support or refute these claims for nuts. We assessed the effects of different soaking regimes on phytate and mineral concentrations of whole and chopped almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, and […]

Allergen Removal and Transfer Using Wiping and Cleaning Methods in Retail and Food Service Establishments.

Preventing the transfer of allergens from one food to another via food-contact surfaces in retail food environments is an important aspect of retail food safety. Existing recommendations for wiping and cleaning food-contact surfaces is mainly focused on preventing microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses from contaminating foods. The effectiveness of these wiping and cleaning recommendations […]

Children with nut allergies have impaired gene expression of toll‐like receptors pathway.

Background: Trends in food allergies prompted investigation into the underlying mechanisms. Genetic and epigenetic factors are of high interest and, in particular, the interplay between genes relating to immune factors directly and indirectly involved in food allergy pathogenesis. We sought to determine potential links between gene expression and epigenetic factors relating to Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways […]

Nut consumption in a representative survey of Australians: A secondary analysis of the 2011–2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.

Objective: Nut consumption is associated with a range of health benefits. The current study aimed to examine nut consumption in the 2011–2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS) and to investigate associations between nut intake, nutrient intake and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Design: Secondary analysis of the 2011–2012 NNPAS. Usual consumption of nuts […]

A Lateral Flow Strip Based on a Truncated Aptamer-Complementary Strand for Detection of Type-B Aflatoxins in Nuts and Dried Figs.

Type-B aflatoxins (AFB1 and AFB2) frequently contaminate food, especially nuts and fried figs, and seriously threaten human health; hence, it is necessary for the newly rapid and sensitive detection methods to prevent the consumption of potentially contaminated food. Here, a lateral flow aptasensor for the detection of type-B aflatoxins was developed. It is based on the […]

The protective effect of Ellagic acid (EA) in osteoarthritis: An in vitro and in vivo study.

Osteoarthritis (OA), a progressive joint disorder, is principally characterized by the degeneration and destruction of the articular cartilage. Ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenol found in berries and nuts has shown potent anti-inflammatory effects, however, its effects and underlying mechanisms on OA have seldom been systematically illuminated. In this study, we reported the anti-inflammatory effects […]

Consumption of Nuts at Midlife and Healthy Aging in Women.

Background. Nut consumption may reduce age-related diseases and lead to better health and well-being in aging. Many conditions of aging develop over decades, and thus earlier lifestyle factors may particularly influence later health. Methods. In 1998 and 2002, we administered food frequency questionnaires to assess nut consumption (peanuts, walnuts, and other nuts and peanut butter) in […]