Hydro-ethanolic extract of cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) nut and its principal compound; anacardic acid; stimulate glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells
Scope: Products of cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) are used in traditional medicine for various ailments; including diabetes.Methods and results: The anti-diabetic properties of cashew plant parts were studied using differentiated C2C12 myoblasts (myotubes) and rat liver mitochondria. Hydroethanolic extract of cashew seed (CSE) and its active component; anacardic acid (AA); stimulated glucose transport into C2C12 […]
Functional properties of select edible oilseed proteins
Borate saline buffer (0.1 M; pH 8.45) solubilized proteins from almond; Brazil nut; cashew nut; hazelnut; macadamia; pine nut; pistachio; Spanish peanut; Virginia peanut; and soybean seeds were prepared from the corresponding defatted flour. The yield was in the range from 10.6% (macadamia) to 27.4% (almond). The protein content; on a dry weight basis; of […]
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 […]
The Bacteriological Quality of Retail-Level Peanut; Almond; Cashew; Hazelnut; Brazil; and Mixed Nut Kernels Produced in Two Australian Nut-Processing Facilities over a Period of 3 Years
An investigation of the bacteriological quality of ready-to-eat peanuts; almonds; cashews; hazelnuts; and Brazil nuts processed in two Australian nut-processing facilities was performed over a period of 3 years. A total of 564 ready-to-eat retail packs were analyzed for aerobic plate count (APC); Salmonella; coagulase-positive staphylococci; Listeria monocytogenes; and Escherichia coli. Of these samples; 343 […]
The influence of roasting; pasteurization; and storage on the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of California almond skins
Polyphenols and antioxidant activity of skins from California almonds subjected to roasting; pasteurization; and storage were determined by LC-MS quantification; total phenols (TP); and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Pasteurization did not significantly change TP; FRAP; or flavonoids and phenolic acids (FP). Roasted almonds had 26% less TP and 34% less FRAP than raw; but […]
Health benefits of nuts in prevention and management of diabetes
The effects of tree nuts on risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD); in particular blood lipids; have been investigated in a number of studies and the beneficial effects are now recognized. The beneficial effects of nuts on CHD in cohort studies have also been clearly demonstrated. However; while there is also reason to believe […]
Nuts; inflammation and insulin resistance
The beneficial effects of nut consumption on cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been widely documented. These protective effects are mainly attributed to the role of nuts in the metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins. As chronic inflammation is a key early stage in the atherosclerotic process that predicts future CVD events and is closely related to the […]
Nuts; blood lipids and cardiovascular disease
The aim of this paper is to evaluate nut-related epidemiological and human feeding study findings and to discuss the important nutritional attributes of nuts and their link to cardiovascular health. Frequent nut consumption has been found to be protective against coronary heart disease in five large epidemiological studies across two continents. A qualitative summary of […]
Nuts and healthy body weight maintenance mechanisms
Nuts are rich sources of multiple nutrients and phytochemicals associated with health benefits; including reduced cardiovascular disease risk. This has prompted recommendations to increase their consumption. However; they are also high in fat and are energy dense. The associations between these properties; positive energy balance and body weight raise questions about such recommendations. Numerous epidemiological […]
Tree nut consumption improves nutrient intake and diet quality in US adults: an analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004
Recent epidemiologic studies assessing tree nut (almonds; Brazil nuts; cashews; hazelnuts; macadamia nuts; pecans; pine nuts; pistachios; and walnuts) consumption and the association with nutrient intake and diet quality are lacking. This study determined the association of tree nut consumption and nutrient intake and diet quality using a nationally representative sample of adults. Adults 19+ […]