Tree Nut and Peanut Consumption in Relation to Chronic and Metabolic Diseases Including Allergy

The New and Emerging Research session highlighted the emerging understanding of both the positive and negative effects of nuts consumption on health. The limited nature of both experimental and epidemiological evidence for positive relationship(s) between nut intake and health were noted. Study inconsistency and limitations; particularly survey methodology; were explored. Recent results from epidemiologic studies […]

Nut; corn; and popcorn consumption and the incidence of diverticular disease

CONTEXT: Patients with diverticular disease are frequently advised to avoid eating nuts; corn; popcorn; and seeds to reduce the risk of complications. However; there is little evidence to support this recommendation. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether nut; corn; or popcorn consumption is associated with diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding. DESIGN AND SETTING: The Health Professionals Follow-up Study […]

Effects of pistachios on cardiovascular disease risk factors and potential mechanisms of action: a dose-response study

BACKGROUND: Nut consumption lowers cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Studies are lacking about the effects of pistachios; a nutrient-dense nut; on CVD risk factors; dose-response relations; and lipid-lowering mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effects of 2 doses of pistachios; added to a lower-fat diet; on lipids and lipoproteins; apolipoprotein (apo)-defined lipoprotein subclasses; and plasma fatty acids. […]

Dried plums (prunes) reduce atherosclerosis lesion area in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Dried plums are a fruit high in pectin with substantial antioxidant activity. Previous studies in rats and man indicate that dried plums or plum fibre lower liver and plasma cholesterol; respectively. The apoE-deficient mouse; which develops atherosclerotic lesions rapidly when fed cholesterol; was used to determine the ability of dried plums to reduce atherosclerosis. Diets […]

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status: meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review all the prospective cohort studies that have analyzed the relation between adherence to a Mediterranean diet; mortality; and incidence of chronic diseases in a primary prevention setting. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. DATA SOURCES: English and non-English publications in PubMed; Embase; Web of Science; and the Cochrane Central Register of […]

Antioxidant properties of dried plum ingredients in raw and precooked pork sausage

Raw pork sausages with no antioxidant (control); 3% or 6% dried plum puree (DP); 3% or 6% dried plum and apple puree (DPA); or 0.02% butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA/BHT) were (1) stored raw in chubs at 4 degrees C (RR) and evaluated weekly over 28 d; (2) cooked as patties; vacuum packaged; and […]

Tree Nuts and Peanuts as Components of a Healthy Diet

Nuts have been part of the diet for thousands of years. In 2003; a Qualified Health Claim was approved; stating that eating 1.5 oz (42 g) of nuts per day may reduce the risk of heart disease. Usual intakes fall short of this recommendation. About one-third of Americans report consuming nuts (tree nuts or peanuts) […]