Evaluation of energy and dietary intake estimates from a food frequency questionnaire using independent energy expenditure measurement and weighed food records

BACKGROUND: We have developed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for the assessment of habitual diet; with special focus on the intake of fruit; vegetables and other antioxidant-rich food and beverages. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relative validity of the intakes of energy; food and nutrients from the FFQ. METHODS: Energy […]

Polyphenol content and health benefits of raisins.

The health benefits of grapes and wine have been studied and publicized extensively; but dried grapes (raisins; including “sultanas” and “currants”) have received comparatively little attention. The purpose of the review was to summarize the polyphenol; phenolic acid; and tannin (PPT) composition of raisins; predict the likely bioavailability of the component PPT; and summarize the […]

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 […]

Almond consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in adults with prediabetes

OBJECTIVE: The authors tested the hypothesis that in adults with prediabetes; an almond-enriched American Diabetes Association (ADA) diet improves measures of insulin sensitivity and other cardiovascular risk factors compared with an ADA nut-free diet. METHODS: DESIGN: Randomized parallel-group trial. SETTING: Outpatient dietary counseling and blood analysis. SUBJECTS: Sixty-five adult participants with prediabetes. INTERVENTION: Sixteen weeks […]

Pistachio nuts reduce triglycerides and body weight by comparison to refined carbohydrate snack in obese subjects on a 12-week weight loss program

OBJECTIVE: There is a widely held view that; due to high fat content; snacking on nuts will lead to weight gain; ultimately causing unhealthy changes in lipid profiles. This study is designed to study the effects of pistachio snack consumption on body weight and lipid levels in obese participants under real-world conditions. METHODS: Participants were […]

Commercial Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Cultivars in the United States: Phytosterol Composition

Phytosterols in commercially grown Runner; Virginia; and Spanish peanuts (n = 221) from 2005 and 2006 were quantified by a combination of acid hydrolysis and alkaline saponification steps followed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the trimethylsilyl derivatives. Delta(5)-Avenasterol; which partially degrades during acid hydrolysis; was quantified after alkaline saponification […]

Food combination and Alzheimer disease risk: a protective diet.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between food combination and Alzheimer disease (AD) risk. Because foods are not consumed in isolation; dietary pattern (DP) analysis of food combination; taking into account the interactions among food components; may offer methodological advantages. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Northern Manhattan; New York; New York. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Two […]

Studies on contamination level of aflatoxins in some dried fruits and nuts of Pakistan

The occurrence of aflatoxins in dried fruits and nuts was surveyed in this study. One hundred and eighty samples of dried fruits and nuts were purchased from retail shops and local markets of different locations of NWFP and Northern areas of Pakistan. The samples were analyzed for total aflatoxins by immune affinity (IAC) clean-up with […]

Hepatoprotective effects of almond oil against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats

This research aimed at evaluating the protective effects of almond oil against acute hepatic injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats. The study results showed that animals received almond oil prior to the administration of CCl4 significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT); aspartate aminotransferase (AST); alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities; and total […]