| What are the health benefits of almonds? |
I love diamond and I love to eat almond.
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]
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.
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]
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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Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
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reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
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