Brief COVID-19 Update: February 17, 2021

More than 181 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the world, with an average of nearly 6.19 million doses a day. However, many western countries are struggling to efficiently distribute them to their citizens, while the rest of the world still lacks access to any vaccine produced.

The association between left ventricular hypertrophy and consumption of nuts, including peanuts, pine nuts, and almonds

Background and aims: Studies have reported that nut consumption is potentially beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease. However, data are insufficient regarding the association between nut consumption and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Methods and results: In the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study, the participants were 34,617 men and 12,257 women who completed a food-frequency questionnaire for nut consumption and […]

Nut consumption, risk of cardiovascular mortality, and potential mediating mechanisms: The Women's Health Study

Background: The link between nut consumption and cardiovascular (CV) mortality remains unclear. Objective: to examine whether nut consumption is associated with CV mortality and estimate the proportion of reduced risk of CV mortality explained by intermediate factors. Methods: We studied 39,167 women from the Women's Health Study; 28,034 provided blood samples. Nut consumption was self-reported at baseline and […]

Nut and legume consumption and human health: an umbrella review of observational studies

Consumption of nuts and legumes has been associated with several health benefits. The aim of this study was to systematically review existing meta-analyses of observational studies on nut and legume intake and non-communicable diseases, and assess the level of evidence. Out of the six meta-analyses focussed on legume and 15 on nut intake, a possible […]

Mediterranean Diet Maintained Platelet Count within a Healthy Range and Decreased Thrombocytopenia-Related Mortality Risk: A Randomized Controlled Trial

There is little information on the dietary modulation of thrombosis-related risk factors such as platelet count. We aimed to assess the effects of Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on platelet count and related outcomes in an older population at high cardiovascular risk. In participants of the PREDIMED (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea) study, we assessed whether an intervention […]

Exploring the potential of NIRS technology for the in situ prediction of amygdalin content and classification by bitterness of in-shell and shelled intact almonds

Amygdalin is a cyanogenic compound found in almonds which gives them their bitter taste. For the almond industry, it is important to prevent the presence of bitter almonds in batches of sweet almond that can affect their commercialization and even consumer safety. This study sought to ascertain the viability of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), as […]