Effects of hazelnut-enriched diet on plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolemic adult men.
Objective: Frequent consumption of nuts is associated with favorable plasma lipid profiles and reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was conducted to investigate the effects of hazelnut-enriched diet on plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolemic adult men compared with baseline and control diet; and also to measure the anthropometric parameters; habitual […]
Mediterranean dietary pattern and prediction of all-cause mortality in a US population: results from the NIH-AARP diet and health study.
BACKGROUND: The Mediterranean diet has been suggested to play a beneficial role for health and longevity. However; to our knowledge; no prospective US study has investigated the Mediterranean dietary pattern in relation to mortality. METHODS: Study participants included 214;284 men and 166;012 women in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-AARP (formerly known as the American […]
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 […]
Magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. DATA SOURCES: We retrieved studies published in any language by systematically searching MEDLINE from 1966 to February 2007 and by manually examining the references of the original articles. STUDY SELECTION: We included prospective cohort studies […]
Fatty acid profiles; tocopherol contents; and antioxidant activities of heartnut (Juglans ailanthifolia Var. cordiformis) and Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.).
The fatty acid and tocopherol compositions of three heartnut (Juglans ailanthifolia var. cordiformis) varieties (Imshu; Campbell CW1; and Campbell CW3) were examined and compared with those of two Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) varieties (Combe and Lake). The major fatty acids found in heartnuts and walnuts were identified by gas chromatography as linoleic (18:2n-6); alpha-linolenic […]
Regular peanut consumption improves plasma lipid levels in healthy Ghanaians
Objective: To determine whether the daily intake of 2;092 kJ (500 kcal) from peanuts will improve the lipid profiles and diet quality of healthy Ghanaians. Design A 30-week; randomized; cross-over trial study was conducted with healthy adults. Method: There were three treatment arms: Treatment 1 (T1); subjects were provided 2;092 kJ/day (500 kcal/day) peanuts to […]
Relation of higher folate intake to lower risk of Alzheimer disease in the elderly
BACKGROUND: Higher intake of folate and vitamins B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) and B12 (cyanocobalamin) may decrease the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) through the lowering of homocysteine levels. OBJECTIVE: To relate intake of folate and vitamins B6 and B12 to AD risk. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We followed up 965 persons 65 years or older without dementia […]