Rajaram S, Connell KM, Sabaté J., 2009. Effect of almond-enriched high-monounsaturated fat diet on selected markers of inflammation: a randomized, controlled, crossover study. Br J Nutr. Oct 29:1-6. [Epub ahead of print]
Frequent consumption of nuts lowers the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). While lowering blood lipids is one of the mechanisms for cardio-protection, this study sought to determine if monounsaturated fat rich almonds also influences other CHD risk factors such as inflammation and hemostasis. This was a randomized, controlled, crossover feeding study with 25 healthy adults (11 men; 14 women), age 22-53 y. Following a 2 week run-in phase (34% energy from fat), subjects were assigned in random order to 3 diets for 4 weeks each: a heart healthy control diet with no nuts (<30% energy from fat), low almond diet and high almond diet (10% or 20% isoenergetic replacement of control diet with almonds respectively). Serum E-selectin was significantly lower on the high almond diet compared to the control diet. E-selectin decreased as the percentage of energy from almonds increased (P <0.0001). C-reactive protein (CRP) was lower in both the almond diets compared to the control diet. A clear dose response was not observed for either E-selectin or CRP. There was no effect of diet on interleukin-6 or fibrinogen. Tissue plasminogen activator antigen was significantly lower on the control and high almond diets compared to the low almond diet, although the values were within normal range. In conclusion, consumption of almonds influenced a few but not all of the markers of inflammation and hemostasis. A clear dose response was not observed for any of the markers studied.
Mandalari, G., G.T. Rich, R.M. Faulks, C. Bisignano, A. Narbad, M.S.J. Wickham, 2009. Almonds demonstrate prebiotic potential effects of almond lipid on colonic microbiota. Supplement to AgroFood Industry Hi-Tech. May/June 20(3):47-49.
Although the evaluation of almond nutrients bioaccessibility is incomplete, it may have important implications for the prevention and management of obesity and cardiovascular disease. We have shown that almond cell walls remain largely intact during simulated gastric and duodenal digestion, thus reducing lipid bioaccessibility. A large proportion of almond nutrients survived upper gastrointestinal digestion, therefore reaching the large bowel. Finely ground almonds, FG, altered the composition of human colonic microbiota during fermentation in an in vitro human colonic model by stimulating the growth of bifidobacteria and Eubacterium rectale. No significant differences in the proportions of gut bacteria groups were detected in response to defatted finely ground almonds, DG.
Lopez-Uriarte. P., M. Bullo, P. Casas-Agustench, N. Babio, J. Salas-Salvado, 2009. Nuts and oxidation: a systematic review. Nutrition Reviews. 67(9):497-508.
In recent years, nuts have received special attention because of their potential role in preventing cardiovascular disease. Because nuts are very rich in total fat that can potentially be oxidized and their skins contain several antioxidants, studies have been conducted to evaluate the potential effect of nut consumption on oxidative stress. This review evaluates the in vitro and in vivo studies conducted in animals or humans to analyze the effect of nuts on oxidation.
Torabian, S., E. Haddad, S. Rajaram, J. Banta, J. Sabate’, 2009. Acute effect of nut consumption on plasma total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation. J Hum Nutr Diet. 22:64-71.
Background: Nuts have been shown to have beneficial effects on human health due to the healthy fat content; however, the effect of antioxidants (i.e. polyphenols) in nuts have not been fully investigated. The present study aimed to assess the immediate effect of a polyphenol-rich meal (75% of energy from nuts: walnuts or almonds) and a polyphenol-free meal on plasma polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in healthy volunteers. Methods: Thirteen subjects participated in a randomized, crossover, intervention study. After an overnight fast, walnuts, almonds or a control meal in the form of smoothies were consumed by study subjects. Each subject participated on three occasions, 1 week apart, consuming one of the smoothies each time. Blood samples were obtained at fasting and then at intervals up to 3.5 h after consumption of the smoothies. Results: There was a significant increase in plasma polyphenol concentration following both nut meals, with peak concentrations being achieved at 90 min, and with a walnut meal having a more sustained higher concentration than an almond meal. The plasma total antioxidant capacity reached its highest point at 150 min postconsumption of the nut meals, and was higher after the almond compared to walnut meal. A gradual significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the susceptibility of plasma to lipid peroxidation was observed 90 min after ingestion of the nut meals. No changes were observed following consumption of control meal. Conclusions: Consumption of both nuts increased plasma polyphenol concentrations, increased the total antioxidant capacity and reduced plasma lipid peroxidation.
Zazpe, I.A. Sanchez-Tainta, R. Estruch, R.M. Lamuela-Raventos, H. Schröder, J. Salas-Salvado, D. Corella, M. Fiol, E. Gomez-Gracia, F. Aros, E. Ros, V. Ruíz-Gutierrez, P. Iglesias, M. Conde-Herrera, M.A. Martinez-Gonzalez, 2008. A large randomized individual and group intervention conducted by registered dietitians increased adherence to Mediterranean-type diets: the PREDIMED study. J Am Diet Assoc. 108:7 1134-1143.
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an intervention aimed to increase adherence to a Mediterranean diet. Design: A 12-month assessment of a randomized primary prevention trial. Subjects/settings: One thousand five hundred fifty-one asymptomatic persons aged 55 to 80 years, with diabetes or ≥3 cardiovascular risk factors. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to a control group or two Mediterranean diet groups. Those allocated to the two Mediterranean diet groups received individual motivational interviews every 3 months to negotiate nutrition goals, and group educational sessions on a quarterly basis. One Mediterranean diet group received free virgin olive oil (1L/week), the other received free mixed nuts (30 g/day). Participants in the control group received verbal instructions and a leaflet recommending the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III dietary guidelines. Main outcome measures: Changes in food and nutrient intake after 12 months. Statistical analyses: Paired t tests (for within-group changes) and analysis of variance (for between-group changes) were conducted. Results: Participants allocated to both Mediterranean diets increased their intake of virgin olive oil, nuts, vegetables, legumes, and fruits (P<0.05 for all within- and between-group differences). Participants in all three groups decreased their intake of meat and pastries, cakes, and sweets (P<0.05 for all). Fiber, monounsaturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake increased in the Mediterranean diet groups (P<0.005 for all). Favorable, although nonsignificant, changes in intake of other nutrients occurred only in the Mediterranean diet groups. Conclusions: A 12-month behavioral intervention promoting the Mediterranean diet can favorably modify an individual’s overall food pattern. The individual motivational interventions together with the group sessions and the free provision of high-fat and palatable key foods customary to the Mediterranean diet were effective in improving the dietary habits of participants in this trial.
Gaur, V., D.K. Sethi, D.M. Salunke, 2008. Purification, identification and preliminary crystallographic studies of Pru du amandin, an allergenic protein from Prunus dulcis. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. F64: 32–35.
Food allergies appear to be one of the foremost causes of hypersensitivity reactions. Nut allergies account for most food allergies and are often permanent. The 360 kDa hexameric protein Pru du amandin, a known allergen, was purified from almonds (Prunus dulcis) by ammonium sulfate fractionation and ionexchange chromatography. The protein was identified by a BLAST homology search against the nonredundant sequence database. Pru du amandin belongs to the 11S legumin family of seed storage proteins characterized by the presence of a cupin motif. Crystals were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals belong to space group P41 (or P43), with unit-cell parameters a = b = 150.7, c = 164.9Å.
Albillos, S.M., T. Jin, A. Howard, Y. Zhang, M.H. Kothary, T.-J. Fu, 2008. Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray characterization of Prunin-1, a major component of the almond (Prunus dulcis) allergen amandin. J Agric Food Chem. 56(13):5352-5358.
The 11S globulins from plant seeds account for a number of major food allergens. Because of the interest in the structural basis underlying the allergenicity of food allergens, we sought to crystallize the main 11S seed storage protein from almond (Prunus dulcis). Prunin-1 (Pru1) was purified from defatted almond flour by water extraction, cryoprecipitation, followed by sequential anion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and size exclusion chromatography. Single crystals of Pru1 were obtained in a screening with a crystal screen kit, using the hanging-drop vapor diffusion method. Diffraction quality crystals were grown after optimization. The Pru1 crystals diffracted to at least 3.0 Å and belong to the tetragonal space group P4122, with unit cell parameters of a = b = 150.912 Å, c = 165.248 Å. Self-rotation functions and molecular replacement calculations showed that there are three molecules in the asymmetry unit with water content of 51.41%. The three Pru1 protomers are related by a noncrystallographic 3-fold axis and they form a doughnut-shaped trimer. Two prunin trimers form a homohexamer. Elucidation of prunin structure will allow further characterization of the allergenic features of the 11S protein allergens at the molecular level.
Jenkins, D.J.A., C.W.C. Kendall, D.A . Faulkner, T. Kemp, A. Marchie, T.H. Nguyen, J.M.W. Wong, R. de Souza, A. Emam, E. Vidgen, E.A. Trautwein, K.G. Lapsley, R.G. Josse, L.A. Leiter, W. Singer, 2008. Long-term effects of a plant-based dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods on blood pressure. Eur J Clin Nutr. 62, 781-788.
Objective: To determine the effect on blood pressure of dietary advice to consume a combination of plant-based cholesterol-lowering foods (dietary portfolio). Methods: For 1 year, 66 hyperlipidemic subjects were prescribed diets high in plant sterols (1.0 g/1000 kcal), soy protein (22.5 g/l000 kcal), viscous fibers (10 g/1 000 kcal) and almonds (22.5 g/1000 kcal). There was no control group. Seven-day diet record, blood pressure and body weight were monitored initially monthly and later at 2-monthly intervals throughout the study. Results: Fifty subjects completed the 1-year study. When the last observation was carried forward for non-completers (n = 9) or those who changed their blood pressure medications (n = 7), a small mean reduction was seen in body weight 0.7±0.3kg (P = 0.036). The corresponding reductions from baseline in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 1 year (n = 66 subjects) were -4.2±1.3mm Hg (P = 0.002) and – 2.3±0.7mm Hg (P = 0.00l), respectively. Blood pressure reductions occurred within the first 2 weeks, with stable blood pressures 6 weeks before and 4 weeks after starting the diet. Diastolic blood pressure reduction was significantly related to weight change (r = 0.30, n = 50, P = 0.036). Only compliance with almond intake advice related to blood pressure reduction (systolic:r = -0.34, n= 50, P = 0.017; diastolic: r = -0.29, n = 50, P = 0.041). Conclusions: A dietary portfolio of plant-based cholesterol-lowering foods reduced blood pressure significantly, related to almond intake. The dietary portfolio approach of combining a range of cholesterol-lowering plant foods may benefit cardiovascular disease risk both by reducing serum lipids and also blood pressure.
Hughey, C.A., B. Wilcox, C.S. Mindardi, C.W. Takehara, M. Sundararaman, L.M. Were. 2008. Capillary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the rapid identification and quantification of almond flavonoids. J.Chromatogr. A. 1192(2):259.
A rapid negative ion ESI high-performance capillary liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method was developed to identify and quantify flavonoids (e.g., flavanols, flavonols, flavanones and glycosides). Fifteen standards and two varieties of almond skin extract powder (Carmel and Nonpareil) were used to demonstrate the chromatographic separation, reproducibility and accuracy of the method that employed a 150mm×0.3mm ChromXP 3C18-EP-120 column. All standards eluted in less than 10 min, providing a 9–12× reduction in analysis time compared to existing methods (90–120 min). However, isomers (e.g., catechin/epicatechin and galactosides/glucosides) were not resolved and, therefore, identified and quantified collectively. RSDs for retention time and peak area reproducibility (mass spectrometry data) were <0.5% and <5.0%, respectively. Peak area reproducibility was greatly improved (from a RSD > 10%) after the implementation of a low-flow metal needle in the ESI source. Quantitation by mass spectrometry also afforded a % error less than 5% for most compounds.
Frecka, J.M., J.H. Hollis, R.D. Mattes, 2008. Effects of appetite, BMI, food form and flavor on mastication: almonds as a test food. Eur J Clin Nutr. 62, 1231-1238.
Objectives: To investigate the effects of appetitive sensations, body mass index (BMI) and physical/sensory properties of food (almonds) on masticatory indices and resultant pre-swallowing particle sizes. Subjects/Methods: Twelve lean (BMI=22.2±0.3) and 12 obese (BMI=34.3±0.6) adults. After collecting appetitive ratings, electromyographic recordings were used to assess participants’ microstructure of eating for five almond products (raw, dry unsalted roasted, natural sliced, roasted salted and honey roasted) under fasted and satiated conditions. Duplicate samples were masticated to the point of deglutition and then were expectorated and size sorted. Results: No statistically significant effects of BMI were detected for any of the mastication measures. Maximum and mean bite forces were greater under the fasted condition. Sliced almonds required lower bite force than did the other almond varieties. The pre-swallowing particle sizes were significantly greater for the sliced almonds than all other varieties. Both the number of chews and mastication time were negatively correlated with particle size. There were no significant effects of almond form or flavor on particle size. Conclusions: These results do not support differences in masticatory performance between lean and obese individuals, nor effects of sensory properties. Instead, the physical form of foods as well as an individuals’ appetitive state may have a greater influence on masticatory behavior. The health implications of these observations warrant further investigation.
