Greater intake of nuts may lower levels of inflammation, says study
Posted on: 02/Aug/2016 9:54:22 AM
A new study has said that greater intake of nuts may lower levels of inflammation. This may help explain the benefits of nuts on cardio metabolic diseases. The research was conducted by scientists at the Brigham and Women`s Hospital in the US. The findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Speaking about this, the researchers said, Population studies have consistently supported a protective role of nuts against cardio metabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and we know that inflammation is a key process in the development of these diseases. Our new work suggests that nuts may exert their beneficial effects in part by reducing systemic inflammation.
In previous studies, researchers observed an association between increased nut consumption and reduced risk of major chronic diseases and even death, but few studies had examined the link between nut intake and inflammation. Now, researchers performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from more than 5,000 people.
They assessed diet using questionnaires and looked at the levels of certain telltale proteins known as biomarkers in blood samples collected from the study participants.They measured three well-established biomarkers of inflammation: C-reactive protein, or CRP, interleukin 6, or IL 6, and tumour necrosis factor receptor 2, or TNFR2.
The researchers adjusted the data for age, medical history, lifestyle and other variables, they found that participants who had consumed five or more servings of nuts per week had lower levels of CRP and IL6 than those who never or almost never ate nuts.
Say the researchers, In addition, people who substituted three servings per week of nuts in place of red meat, processed meat, eggs or refined grains had significantly lower levels of CRP and IL6. Peanuts and tree nuts contain a number of healthful components including magnesium, fibre, L-arginine, antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids such as a linolenic acid. Our study supports an overall healthful role for nuts in the diet and suggests reducing inflammation as a potential mechanism that may help explain the benefits of nuts on cardio metabolic diseases.
