Lifestyle Counseling and Supplementation with Flaxseed or Walnuts Influence the Management of Metabolic Syndrome
A healthy lifestyle may ameliorate metabolic syndrome (MetS); however; it remains unclear if incorporating nuts or seeds into lifestyle counseling (LC) has additional benefit. A 3-arm; randomized; controlled trial was conducted among 283 participants screened for MetS using the updated National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asian Americans. Participants were assigned […]
Snack selection influences nutrient intake; triglycerides; and bowel habits of adult women: a pilot study
Because appropriate snacking can promote a healthy body weight and serve as an important contributor to a healthy diet for women; identification of suitable foods for incorporation between meals is essential. We investigated the influence of short-term (2 weeks) incorporation of 100-kcal servings of snacks of dried plums vs low-fat cookies twice daily on total […]
An assessment of nutritional information in oral health education leaflets
INTRODUCTION: Dental caries prevalence in UK children remains high and obesity; closely linked to Type 2 diabetes; is rising. Literature suggests that dentists may not give dietary advice due to a lack of clear and consistent guidelines. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine whether oral health education leaflets with a food and […]
Antioxidant; larvicidal and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of cashew nut shell liquid constituents
Anacardic acid; cardanol and cardol; the main constituents of natural cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL); were obtained by solvent extraction and assayed for antioxidant; larvicidal and antiacetylcholinesterase activity. Their relative percent composition was obtained by HPLC analysis. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH and ABTS(+) tests; which showed cardanol as the most active; followed […]
Effects of roasting on taste-active compounds of Turkish hazelnut varieties (Corylus avellana L.)
The effect of roasting on taste-active components of 18 native hazelnut varieties; grown in the Giresun province of Turkey; was assessed. Samples were examined for their sugars; organic acids; condensed tannins; and free phenolic acids. Six sugars (fructose; glucose; sucrose; myo-inositol; raffinose; and stachyose); seven organic acids (oxalic; maleic; citric; malic; lactic; succinic; and acetic); […]
Dropping macadamia nuts-in-shell reduces kernel roasting quality
BACKGROUND: Macadamia nuts ('nuts-in-shell') are subjected to many impacts from dropping during postharvest handling; resulting in damage to the raw kernel. The effect of dropping on roasted kernel quality is unknown. Macadamia nuts-in-shell were dropped in various combinations of moisture content; number of drops and receiving surface in three experiments. After dropping; samples from each […]
The effect of a beta-mannanase-based enzyme on growth performance and humoral immune response of broiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels of whole dates
The use of low-quality whole dates in broilers' diets was evaluated. The apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of whole dates and date pits was determined with or without a beta-mannanase-based enzyme (Hemicell–a registered trademark of ChemGen Corp.; Gaithersburg; MD. Dried Bacillus lentus fermentation solubles with 158 million units/kg minimum enzyme activity. Recommended usage rate is 0.4 […]
Almond quality as influenced by radio frequency heat treatments for disinfestation
Increased regulation of chemical fumigants has forced the almond industry to seek alternatives for postharvest control of insect pests in raw almonds. This paper reports developments of non-chemical treatment for postharvest disinfestation of almonds using radio frequency (RF) energy. A pilot-scale 27 MHz RF unit was used to evaluate effects of a RF treatment protocol […]
Study on antioxidant activity of common dry fruits
This study investigates the antioxidant activity of different dry fruits (almonds; walnut; cashew nut; raisins and chironji) through several chemical and biochemical assays: reducing power; lipid peroxidation damage in biomembranes and determination of antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD and CAT). To estimate the total phenolic content; the assay using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was used. The EC(50) values […]
Chronic and acute effects of walnuts on antioxidant capacity and nutritional status in humans: a randomized; cross-over pilot study
BACKGROUND: Compared with other common plant foods; walnuts (Juglans regia) are consistently ranked among the highest in antioxidant capacity. In vitro; walnut polyphenols inhibit plasma and LDL oxidation; while in animal models they lower biomarkers of oxidative stress and raise antioxidant capacity. A limited number of human feeding trials indicate that walnuts improve some measures […]