| What are the health benefits of almonds? |
I love almonds. Research studies have suggested that
almond may provide health benefits of cardiac
protection and cholesterol-lowering. And, its high
contents of antioxidants and fatty acids may be the key
factors for its potential health benefits.
What does almond contain?
Almond contain some important phytochemicals such as
sphingolipid, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol, uridine, and
adenosine. [3] Almond also contain a protein called amandin.
Amandin is a legumin type protein characterized by a
sedimentation value of 14S. It is composed of two major
types of polypeptides with estimated molecular weights of
42-46 and 20-22 kDa linked via disulfide bonds. Amandin is
not a glycoprotein. Amandin-1, amandin-2, and amandin-3
are antigenically related and have similar biochemical
properties. [2] Researchers studied the flavonol content of 16
almond varieties and they found each of the 16 seedcoat
samples exhibited a unique composition. [4] Four flavonol
glycosides were identified in almond seedcoats: isorhamnetin
rutinoside, isorhamnetin glucoside, kaempferol rutinoside, and
kaempferol glucoside. [1] Among these flavonol glycosides,
isorhamnetin rutinoside was the most abundant flavonol
glycoside, and the total content ranged from 75 to 250
microg/g. [4]
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALMONDS?
ANORECTAL PROLAPSE
A study has shown that phenol in almond oil injection therapy
is a simple and safe procedure for anorectal prolapse in
children. Nine children with rectal prolapse, aged from 2 to 14
years were treated by phenol in almond oil injection
sclerotherapy. All nine patients were cured after one to three
injections without any complications. Two out of 4 children
with constipation prior to injection therapy had no longer
constipation thereafter. [6]
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES
Consumption of tree nuts such as almonds has been
associated with benefits of reducing risk of coronary heart
disease. Flavonoids, found predominantly in the skin of
almonds, may contribute to their putative health benefit.
Almond has shown its anti-oxidation activities in various
studies. [7, 9] In a study of hamster, researchers found that
Almond skin flavonoids possess antioxidant capacity in vitro
and they are bioavailable. Vitamins C and E act in synergy with
Almond skin flavonoids to provide benefits of protecting LDL
against oxidation in hamsters. The peak plasma concentration
(Cmax) of catechin, epicatechin, and flavonols (quercetin,
kaempferol, and isorhamnetin) occurred at 60, 120, and 180
min, respectively. The concentration of isorhamnetin was
significantly elevated in liver at 180 min. Absorbed Almond
skin flavonoids enhanced the ex vivo resistance of hamster
LDL collected at 60 min to oxidation by 18.0% (P = 0.028),
and the in vitro addition of 5.5 micromol/L vitamin E
synergistically extended the lag time of the 60-min sample by
52.5%. [7] In another study, researchers from Agricultural
Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, prepared
almond hulls (Nonpareil variety) extracts with methanol. And,
the extract mainly contained chlorogenic acid,
cryptochlorogenic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid and sterols
(stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol). They found that at an
equivalent concentration (10 microg/1 g of methyl linoleate)
almond hull extracts had higher antioxidant activity than
alpha-tocopherol. [12]
The cell walls of almond seeds reduce lipid bioaccessibility by
hindering the release of lipid available for digestion. Seed coat
cell wall contains a large amount of phenolic compounds while
the cell walls are rich in non-starch polysaccharides,
particularly arabinose-rich polysaccharides. [8,10] During
chewing, i.e. disruption of almond tissue, only the first layer of
cells at the fractured surface is ruptured and able to release
the lipid. Researchers examined fecal samples collected from
subjects consuming the almond diet, they found intact
cotyledonary cells, in which the cell walls encapsulated
intracellular lipid. [8]
CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING ACTIVITIES
Guess which one of the following almond products have
more benefits to high cholesterol: roasted salted
almonds, roasted almond butter or raw almonds? In a
study, researchers fed 38 human subjects with high
cholesterol profiles with heart-healthy diets including 100g of
one of three forms of almonds: roasted salted almonds,
roasted almond butter or raw almonds for four weeks. They
found that all forms of almonds in the context of a
heart-healthy diet significantly lowered low-density
lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) from baseline to the completion
of the study. Both raw and roasted almonds significantly
lowered triglyceride levels, but almond butter did not lower the
triglyceride to a statistical significance. However, they all didn't
have much effect on High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol
(HDL) and blood pressure. [11]
Guess which one has more benefits on plasma lipids:
whole-almond or almond oil. Researchers supplied 22
healthy subjects with either whole almonds or almond oil for
6-wk periods. They found that fat replacement with either
whole almonds and almond oil resulted in a 54% increase in
percentage of energy as monounsaturated fat with declines in
both saturated fat and cholesterol intake and no significant
changes in total energy, total or polyunsaturated fat intake.
The effects of whole almonds and almond oil on plasma lipids
did not differ compared with baseline; plasma triglyceride,
total and LDL cholesterol significantly decreased, 14, 4 and
6% respectively, whereas HDL cholesterol increased 6%. [13]
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION,
PLEASE, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2007 zhion.
REFERENCES[1] Frison-Norrie S et al, Identification and quantification of flavonol glycosides
in almond seedcoats using MALDI-TOF MS. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 May 8;50(10):2782-7.
[2] Sathe SK et al, Biochemical characterization of amandin, the major storage protein in
almond (Prunus dulcis L.). J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Jul 17;50(15):4333-41. [3] Sang S et al,
Sphingolipid and other constituents from almond nuts (Prunus amygdalus Batsch). J Agric
Food Chem. 2002 Jul 31;50(16):4709-12. [4] Frison S et al, Variation in the flavonol glycoside
composition of almond seedcoats as determined by maldi-tof mass spectrometry. J Agric Food
Chem. 2002 Nov 6;50(23):6818-22. [5] Shi Z et al, Analysis of physicochemical property and
composition of fatty acid of almond oil Se Pu. 1999 Sep;17(5):506-7. [6] Angerpointner TA
The treatment of rectal prolapse in children with phenol in almond oil injection. J Pediatr
Surg. 2005 Jul;40(7):1217. [7] Chen CY et al, Flavonoids from almond skins are bioavailable
and act synergistically with vitamins C and E to enhance hamster and human LDL resistance
to oxidation. J Nutr. 2005 Jun;135(6):1366-73. [8] Ellis PR et al, Role of cell walls in the
bioaccessibility of lipids in almond seeds. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Sep;80(3):604-13. [9] Wang H
et al, Effects of almond on D-gal-induced aging rats Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2004
Mar;33(2):222-4. [10] Dourado F et al, Anatomy and cell wall polysaccharides of almond
(Prunus dulcis D. A. Webb) seeds. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Mar 10;52(5):1364-70. [11] Spiller
GA et al, Effects of plant-based diets high in raw or roasted almonds, or roasted almond butter
on serum lipoproteins in humans. J Am Coll Nutr. 2003 Jun;22(3):195-200. [12] Takeoka GR et
al, Antioxidant constituents of almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] hulls. J Agric Food
Chem. 2003 Jan 15;51(2):496-501. 13 Hyson DA et al, Almonds and almond oil have similar
effects on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in healthy men and women. J Nutr. 2002
Apr;132(4):703-7.
almond may provide health benefits of cardiac
protection and cholesterol-lowering. And, its high
contents of antioxidants and fatty acids may be the key
factors for its potential health benefits.
What does almond contain?
Almond contain some important phytochemicals such as
sphingolipid, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol, uridine, and
adenosine. [3] Almond also contain a protein called amandin.
Amandin is a legumin type protein characterized by a
sedimentation value of 14S. It is composed of two major
types of polypeptides with estimated molecular weights of
42-46 and 20-22 kDa linked via disulfide bonds. Amandin is
not a glycoprotein. Amandin-1, amandin-2, and amandin-3
are antigenically related and have similar biochemical
properties. [2] Researchers studied the flavonol content of 16
almond varieties and they found each of the 16 seedcoat
samples exhibited a unique composition. [4] Four flavonol
glycosides were identified in almond seedcoats: isorhamnetin
rutinoside, isorhamnetin glucoside, kaempferol rutinoside, and
kaempferol glucoside. [1] Among these flavonol glycosides,
isorhamnetin rutinoside was the most abundant flavonol
glycoside, and the total content ranged from 75 to 250
microg/g. [4]
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALMONDS?
ANORECTAL PROLAPSE
A study has shown that phenol in almond oil injection therapy
is a simple and safe procedure for anorectal prolapse in
children. Nine children with rectal prolapse, aged from 2 to 14
years were treated by phenol in almond oil injection
sclerotherapy. All nine patients were cured after one to three
injections without any complications. Two out of 4 children
with constipation prior to injection therapy had no longer
constipation thereafter. [6]
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES
Consumption of tree nuts such as almonds has been
associated with benefits of reducing risk of coronary heart
disease. Flavonoids, found predominantly in the skin of
almonds, may contribute to their putative health benefit.
Almond has shown its anti-oxidation activities in various
studies. [7, 9] In a study of hamster, researchers found that
Almond skin flavonoids possess antioxidant capacity in vitro
and they are bioavailable. Vitamins C and E act in synergy with
Almond skin flavonoids to provide benefits of protecting LDL
against oxidation in hamsters. The peak plasma concentration
(Cmax) of catechin, epicatechin, and flavonols (quercetin,
kaempferol, and isorhamnetin) occurred at 60, 120, and 180
min, respectively. The concentration of isorhamnetin was
significantly elevated in liver at 180 min. Absorbed Almond
skin flavonoids enhanced the ex vivo resistance of hamster
LDL collected at 60 min to oxidation by 18.0% (P = 0.028),
and the in vitro addition of 5.5 micromol/L vitamin E
synergistically extended the lag time of the 60-min sample by
52.5%. [7] In another study, researchers from Agricultural
Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, prepared
almond hulls (Nonpareil variety) extracts with methanol. And,
the extract mainly contained chlorogenic acid,
cryptochlorogenic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid and sterols
(stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol). They found that at an
equivalent concentration (10 microg/1 g of methyl linoleate)
almond hull extracts had higher antioxidant activity than
alpha-tocopherol. [12]
The cell walls of almond seeds reduce lipid bioaccessibility by
hindering the release of lipid available for digestion. Seed coat
cell wall contains a large amount of phenolic compounds while
the cell walls are rich in non-starch polysaccharides,
particularly arabinose-rich polysaccharides. [8,10] During
chewing, i.e. disruption of almond tissue, only the first layer of
cells at the fractured surface is ruptured and able to release
the lipid. Researchers examined fecal samples collected from
subjects consuming the almond diet, they found intact
cotyledonary cells, in which the cell walls encapsulated
intracellular lipid. [8]
CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING ACTIVITIES
Guess which one of the following almond products have
more benefits to high cholesterol: roasted salted
almonds, roasted almond butter or raw almonds? In a
study, researchers fed 38 human subjects with high
cholesterol profiles with heart-healthy diets including 100g of
one of three forms of almonds: roasted salted almonds,
roasted almond butter or raw almonds for four weeks. They
found that all forms of almonds in the context of a
heart-healthy diet significantly lowered low-density
lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) from baseline to the completion
of the study. Both raw and roasted almonds significantly
lowered triglyceride levels, but almond butter did not lower the
triglyceride to a statistical significance. However, they all didn't
have much effect on High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol
(HDL) and blood pressure. [11]
Guess which one has more benefits on plasma lipids:
whole-almond or almond oil. Researchers supplied 22
healthy subjects with either whole almonds or almond oil for
6-wk periods. They found that fat replacement with either
whole almonds and almond oil resulted in a 54% increase in
percentage of energy as monounsaturated fat with declines in
both saturated fat and cholesterol intake and no significant
changes in total energy, total or polyunsaturated fat intake.
The effects of whole almonds and almond oil on plasma lipids
did not differ compared with baseline; plasma triglyceride,
total and LDL cholesterol significantly decreased, 14, 4 and
6% respectively, whereas HDL cholesterol increased 6%. [13]
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION,
PLEASE, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2007 zhion.
REFERENCES[1] Frison-Norrie S et al, Identification and quantification of flavonol glycosides
in almond seedcoats using MALDI-TOF MS. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 May 8;50(10):2782-7.
[2] Sathe SK et al, Biochemical characterization of amandin, the major storage protein in
almond (Prunus dulcis L.). J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Jul 17;50(15):4333-41. [3] Sang S et al,
Sphingolipid and other constituents from almond nuts (Prunus amygdalus Batsch). J Agric
Food Chem. 2002 Jul 31;50(16):4709-12. [4] Frison S et al, Variation in the flavonol glycoside
composition of almond seedcoats as determined by maldi-tof mass spectrometry. J Agric Food
Chem. 2002 Nov 6;50(23):6818-22. [5] Shi Z et al, Analysis of physicochemical property and
composition of fatty acid of almond oil Se Pu. 1999 Sep;17(5):506-7. [6] Angerpointner TA
The treatment of rectal prolapse in children with phenol in almond oil injection. J Pediatr
Surg. 2005 Jul;40(7):1217. [7] Chen CY et al, Flavonoids from almond skins are bioavailable
and act synergistically with vitamins C and E to enhance hamster and human LDL resistance
to oxidation. J Nutr. 2005 Jun;135(6):1366-73. [8] Ellis PR et al, Role of cell walls in the
bioaccessibility of lipids in almond seeds. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Sep;80(3):604-13. [9] Wang H
et al, Effects of almond on D-gal-induced aging rats Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2004
Mar;33(2):222-4. [10] Dourado F et al, Anatomy and cell wall polysaccharides of almond
(Prunus dulcis D. A. Webb) seeds. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Mar 10;52(5):1364-70. [11] Spiller
GA et al, Effects of plant-based diets high in raw or roasted almonds, or roasted almond butter
on serum lipoproteins in humans. J Am Coll Nutr. 2003 Jun;22(3):195-200. [12] Takeoka GR et
al, Antioxidant constituents of almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] hulls. J Agric Food
Chem. 2003 Jan 15;51(2):496-501. 13 Hyson DA et al, Almonds and almond oil have similar
effects on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in healthy men and women. J Nutr. 2002
Apr;132(4):703-7.
| WALNUT OIL Researchers extracted oil components from Taiyuan almond and they found the fatty acid composition as follows: oleic acid (68%), linoleic acid (25%), palmitic acid(5%), palmitoleic acid(small amount), stearic acid(small amount) and arachidic acid(a trace amount). [5] |
 |  |  |  |
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