A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure

Background: It is known that obesity, sodium intake, and alcohol consumption factors influence blood pressure. In this clinical trial, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, we assessed the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. Methods: We enrolled 459 adults with systolic blood pressures of less than 160 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressures of 80 to 95 mm […]

Effects of diets rich in monounsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipoproteins-the Jerusalem nutrition study: high MUFAs vs high PUFAs in USA

Twenty-six Yeshiva students were randomly assigned to a 24-wk crossover study of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) vs polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) diets (50% carbohydrate; 32% fat; 18% protein) fed alternately during two 12-wk periods. Total plasma cholesterol (TC) decreased significantly by approximately 10% and approximately 16% on the MUFA and PUFA diets; respectively. Plasma triglyceride […]

Health benefits of nuts: potential role of antioxidants

A diet rich in fruits; vegetables and minimally refined cereals is associated with lower risk for chronic degenerative diseases. Since oxidative stress is common in chronic degenerative disease; it has been assumed that dietary antioxidants may explain this protective effect. Every dietary plant contains numerous types of antioxidants with different properties. Many of these antioxidants […]

Pistachio intake increases high density lipoprotein levels and inhibits low-density lipoprotein oxidation in rats. Tohoku

There is increasing evidence that nuts have protective effects against coronary artery disease by improving lipid profile and inhibiting lipid oxidation. However; data about pistachio nuts are limited; and to our knowledge; there is no study investigating the effects of pistachio intake on lipid oxidation and serum antioxidant levels. This study; therefore; sought to determine […]

Nut consumption and decreased risk of sudden cardiac death in the Physicians' Health Study

BACKGROUND: Dietary nut intake has been associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease mortality; however; the mechanism is unclear. Since components of nuts may have antiarrhythmic properties; part of the benefit may be due to a reduction in sudden cardiac death. METHODS: We prospectively assessed whether increasing frequency of nut consumption; as ascertained […]

Walnut (Juglans regia) leaf extracts are strong scavengers of pro-oxidant reactive species

The growing interest in the substitution of synthetic food antioxidants by natural ones has fostered research on vegetable sources and on the screening of raw materials; for identifying new antioxidants. In the present study; an ethanol:water (4:6) extract from Juglans regia leaves was evaluated for its putative in vitro scavenging effects on reactive oxygen species […]