Recent Studies Support Almonds' Role in Heart Health and Weight Maintenance
MODESTO, Calif., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Several studies published and
presented during the past year add to the evidence that almonds are the
healthiest nut around. A one-ounce handful of almonds offers heart-healthy
monounsaturated fat, the antioxidant vitamin E, protein, fiber, magnesium,
potassium, calcium, phosphorous and iron, all in 160 calories. In addition to
their nutrition, almonds can play a role in heart health and weight
maintenance.
In regard to heart health, for example:
* A study published in November in the Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA) adds to the evidence for almonds' role in helping
lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Researchers from Johns Hopkins
University and Harvard University studied the effect of changing the
amount of carbohydrates, protein and unsaturated fat in the diet on
blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Almonds were eaten as a snack in
a high-protein diet and an unsaturated fat diet, but not included in a
high-carbohydrate diet. The researchers discovered that the protein and
unsaturated fat diets improved blood pressure and LDL, or "bad,"
cholesterol and total cholesterol levels more than the carbohydrate
diet.
* A study published in July in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
showed that eating a certain eating plan of heart-healthy foods
including almonds not only lowered cholesterol levels, but also the
level of c-reactive protein. The dietary approach, called the Portfolio
Eating Plan, decreased these levels by 24 percent -- similar to the
reduction achieved in the study by taking a first-generation statin drug
(16 percent), without many of the pills' side effects.
* A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association
last March confirms that eating almonds significantly increases vitamin
E levels in the plasma and red blood cells and simultaneously lowers
cholesterol levels. The study, conducted at Loma Linda University, was
the first to demonstrate that eating almonds raises vitamin E levels in
the bloodstream -- up to 19 percent after four weeks, among those who
ate 20 percent of their calories as almonds. Participants in the study
also reduced their total cholesterol by 5 percent and lowered their LDL
or "bad" cholesterol by nearly 7 percent.
* A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition last
February showed that the same heart-healthy dietary approach including
almonds, the Portfolio Eating Plan, was just as effective as first-
generation statins in lowering LDL cholesterol below the recommended
range for heart disease prevention. The study directly compared statins
and the dietary approach for one month.
These heart-health studies add to the existing body of research,
particularly significant in 2002 and 2003, on almonds' ability to lower
cholesterol. The findings are also consistent with the recommendations of the
National Cholesterol Education Program, which recommends people eat up to 20
percent of calories from monounsaturated fat from foods such as almonds, olive
oil and avocados. (The program also recommends they choose no more than 10
percent of calories from polyunsaturated fats, particularly eating fish twice
a week to obtain the two forms of omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA,
which are more beneficial than the form of omega-3s found in nuts, seeds, and
oils.)
In regard to almonds' role in weight maintenance and even weight loss:
* A study presented at last year's Experimental Biology conference in
April indicates one reason for almonds' healthful benefits may be the
way their nutrients are absorbed in the body. Researchers at Kings
College in London found that almonds appear to help block absorption of
carbohydrates, block their own fat from being absorbed, and improve
satiety, which may be key mechanisms behind their heart-healthy,
cholesterol-lowering and weight-maintenance capabilities.
* Another study presented at Experimental Biology last April showed that
adding nearly two servings of almonds to one's existing diet had no
effect on body weight or percentage of body fat. "We found it to be
remarkable that participants naturally compensated for the added
calories from almonds in their diet," said study author James Hollis,
PhD, from Purdue University. "Our early hypothesis is that the fiber and
protein found in almonds may contribute to greater satiety, which in
turn helps people maintain their body weight."
These new weight-related studies add to a 2003 study in the International
Journal of Obesity that showed adding a daily ration of almonds to a low-
calorie diet enhanced weight loss, as well as significantly improved risk
factors associated with heart disease, when compared to a low-fat, low-calorie
diet. Researchers cited almonds' heart-healthy monounsaturated fat as being
very satiating, helping satisfy the appetite and prevent patients from
overeating.
Consumers can visit http://www.AlmondsAreIn.com for more information about
almonds, or http://www.PortfolioEatingPlan.com for more information about the
Portfolio Eating Plan.
The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal
Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of
Agriculture. Established in 1950, the Board's charge is to promote the best
quality almonds, California's largest tree nut crop.
SOURCE The Almond Board of California
Web Site: http://www.AlmondsAreIn.com
http://www.PortfolioEatingPlan.com
MODESTO, Calif., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Several studies published and
presented during the past year add to the evidence that almonds are the
healthiest nut around. A one-ounce handful of almonds offers heart-healthy
monounsaturated fat, the antioxidant vitamin E, protein, fiber, magnesium,
potassium, calcium, phosphorous and iron, all in 160 calories. In addition to
their nutrition, almonds can play a role in heart health and weight
maintenance.
In regard to heart health, for example:
* A study published in November in the Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA) adds to the evidence for almonds' role in helping
lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Researchers from Johns Hopkins
University and Harvard University studied the effect of changing the
amount of carbohydrates, protein and unsaturated fat in the diet on
blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Almonds were eaten as a snack in
a high-protein diet and an unsaturated fat diet, but not included in a
high-carbohydrate diet. The researchers discovered that the protein and
unsaturated fat diets improved blood pressure and LDL, or "bad,"
cholesterol and total cholesterol levels more than the carbohydrate
diet.
* A study published in July in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
showed that eating a certain eating plan of heart-healthy foods
including almonds not only lowered cholesterol levels, but also the
level of c-reactive protein. The dietary approach, called the Portfolio
Eating Plan, decreased these levels by 24 percent -- similar to the
reduction achieved in the study by taking a first-generation statin drug
(16 percent), without many of the pills' side effects.
* A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association
last March confirms that eating almonds significantly increases vitamin
E levels in the plasma and red blood cells and simultaneously lowers
cholesterol levels. The study, conducted at Loma Linda University, was
the first to demonstrate that eating almonds raises vitamin E levels in
the bloodstream -- up to 19 percent after four weeks, among those who
ate 20 percent of their calories as almonds. Participants in the study
also reduced their total cholesterol by 5 percent and lowered their LDL
or "bad" cholesterol by nearly 7 percent.
* A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition last
February showed that the same heart-healthy dietary approach including
almonds, the Portfolio Eating Plan, was just as effective as first-
generation statins in lowering LDL cholesterol below the recommended
range for heart disease prevention. The study directly compared statins
and the dietary approach for one month.
These heart-health studies add to the existing body of research,
particularly significant in 2002 and 2003, on almonds' ability to lower
cholesterol. The findings are also consistent with the recommendations of the
National Cholesterol Education Program, which recommends people eat up to 20
percent of calories from monounsaturated fat from foods such as almonds, olive
oil and avocados. (The program also recommends they choose no more than 10
percent of calories from polyunsaturated fats, particularly eating fish twice
a week to obtain the two forms of omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA,
which are more beneficial than the form of omega-3s found in nuts, seeds, and
oils.)
In regard to almonds' role in weight maintenance and even weight loss:
* A study presented at last year's Experimental Biology conference in
April indicates one reason for almonds' healthful benefits may be the
way their nutrients are absorbed in the body. Researchers at Kings
College in London found that almonds appear to help block absorption of
carbohydrates, block their own fat from being absorbed, and improve
satiety, which may be key mechanisms behind their heart-healthy,
cholesterol-lowering and weight-maintenance capabilities.
* Another study presented at Experimental Biology last April showed that
adding nearly two servings of almonds to one's existing diet had no
effect on body weight or percentage of body fat. "We found it to be
remarkable that participants naturally compensated for the added
calories from almonds in their diet," said study author James Hollis,
PhD, from Purdue University. "Our early hypothesis is that the fiber and
protein found in almonds may contribute to greater satiety, which in
turn helps people maintain their body weight."
These new weight-related studies add to a 2003 study in the International
Journal of Obesity that showed adding a daily ration of almonds to a low-
calorie diet enhanced weight loss, as well as significantly improved risk
factors associated with heart disease, when compared to a low-fat, low-calorie
diet. Researchers cited almonds' heart-healthy monounsaturated fat as being
very satiating, helping satisfy the appetite and prevent patients from
overeating.
Consumers can visit http://www.AlmondsAreIn.com for more information about
almonds, or http://www.PortfolioEatingPlan.com for more information about the
Portfolio Eating Plan.
The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal
Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of
Agriculture. Established in 1950, the Board's charge is to promote the best
quality almonds, California's largest tree nut crop.
SOURCE The Almond Board of California
Web Site: http://www.AlmondsAreIn.com
http://www.PortfolioEatingPlan.com
posted by Ken MacKenzie at 10:37 PM
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