(Press-News.org) DAVIS, CA, April 22, 2013 – Three new studies involving tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts) were presented this week at the Experimental Biology Meeting in Boston, MA. Tree nut consumption was associated with a better nutrient profile and diet quality; lower body weight and lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome; and a decrease in several cardiovascular risk factors compared to those seen among non-consumers.
First, the Adventist Health Study looked at the effect of nut intake on the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a population with a wide range of nut intake ranging from never to daily. Researchers at Loma Linda University studied 803 adults using a validated food frequency questionnaire and assessed both tree nut and peanut intake together and separately. "Our results showed that one serving (28g or 1 ounce) of tree nuts per week was significantly associated with 7% less MetS," stated lead researcher Karen Jaceldo-Siegl, DrPH. "Interestingly, while overall nut consumption was associated with lower prevalence of MetS, tree nuts specifically appear to provide beneficial effects on MetS, independent of demographic, lifestyle and other dietary factors."
The second study looked at 14,386 adults participating in the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Intake was from 24-hour recall data and tree nut consumers were defined as those who consumed more than ¼ ounce of tree nuts (average consumption was about an ounce/day). As seen in previous research, tree nut consumers had higher daily intakes of calories (2468 v 2127 calories) and nutrients of concern: fiber (21v 16 grams [g]); potassium (3028 v 2691 milligrams [mg]); magnesium (408 v 292 mg); monounsaturated fats (36 v 29 g), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (21 v 17 g), but lower intakes of added sugars (15 v 18 teaspoons), saturated fats (25 v 27g), and sodium (3197 v 3570 mg) than non-consumers. Tree nut consumers also had lower weight (80 v 82 kg; p=0.0049), BMI (28v 29; p END
New findings on tree nuts and health presented at the Experimental Biology Meeting in Boston, Mass.
2013-04-22
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