Insights & Discussion
Regular nut consumption, particularly peanuts and walnuts, is associated with a lower incidence of frailty in aging female populations.
The methodology of the study includes a population-based observational study of nonfrail women aged 60 and above from 11 states across the US, from the Nurses' Health Study. The outcome focused on incidence of frailty, defined through the FRAIL components such as fatigue, lower strength, reduced aerobic capacity, multiple chronic conditions, and significant weight loss. These were assessed every four years from 1992 to 2016. Food Frequency Questionnaires were used to examine the intake of peanuts, peanut butter, walnuts, and other nuts every four years from 1990 to 2014. Total nut consumption was calculated and categorized into varying serving sizes, and the relation of intake of each type of nut with frailty was examined separately using Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for various factors such as age, smoking, BMI, diet quality, and medication use.
In discussing the results, out of 71,704 participants, 14,195 frailty cases arose over a million person-years. Notably, regular consumption of nuts, particularly peanuts and walnuts, showed a significant inverse relation with frailty. That is, a higher intake of these types of nuts were associated with lower cases of frailty. However, the same didn't apply to peanut butter. This affirms the potential benefits of regular nut consumption in aging female population's health and well-being.
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Walnut seed skin extract demonstrates potential hepato-renal protective effects, inhibiting inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and apoptosis, in kidney-damaged Sprague-Dawley rats.
2022 Cytokine The hepato-renal protective potential of walnut seed skin extract against acute renal ischemia/reperfusion damage Askin S, Askin H, Dursun E, Palabiyik E, Uguz H, Cakmak , et al.
Animal Study Acute Kidney Injury Acute Renal Ischemia Anti-Inflammatory
In the methodology, Sprague-Dawley rats in acute kidney injury state were divided into three groups: a healthy control, a group induced with renal ischemia/reperfusion (IR), and another group induced with renal IR and treated with walnut seed skin (WSS) extract. Blood, liver and kidney tissues were collected for serum evaluations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, urea, and creatinine. Histopathological studies were performed on liver and kidney tissues, and gene markers related to anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and apoptotic effects were measured.
The results showed an improvement in deteriorated serum parameters in rats with renal ischemia pre-treated with WSS extract. Histopathological analysis revealed a protective effect of WSS on kidney and liver tissues. Though gene expression studies yielded diverse results for liver and kidney tissues, the consensus was that WSS had a pronounced protective impact on the liver. It was inferred that WSS's healing potential in renal and hepatic tissues seems to work via inhibiting inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.
Ginger, native to Southeast Asia, possesses antioxidant and antiviral properties, contributing to healthy ageing and potential prevention of age-related disorders.
2022 Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity Ginger for Healthy Ageing: A Systematic Review on Current Evidence of Its Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anticancer Properties Ozkur M, Benlier N, Takan I, Vasileiou C, Georgakilas AG, Pavlopoulou A, et al.
Systematic Review Anti-Ageing Antioxidant Antiviral
The study explored the natural benefits of ginger, a plant native to Southeast Asia renowned for its culinary and medicinal uses. The approach focused on examining the plant's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and particularly antiviral properties from its rich collection of antiviral compounds. The process involved digging into accumulated evidence that suggests ginger's role in promoting healthy ageing, reducing morbidity, and prolonging a healthy lifespan, thus providing a natural solution for an age-old problem.
In terms of results, the examination of evidence proved affirming. Ginger displayed significant potential in boosting healthy ageing, reducing the risk of age-related disorders, and extending a wholesome life expectancy due to its inherent properties. The plant's antioxidant characteristics played a key role in these outcomes, along with its anti-inflammatory and antiviral attributes. In essence, the research unfolded a rather underexplored potential of a common natural product in tackling age-induced health conditions.
Regular peanut consumption appears to positively influence lipid metabolism, reducing levels of triglycerides in the blood.
2022 Frontiers in Nutrition Effect of Peanut Consumption on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Randomized Clinical Trial and Meta-Analysis Parilli-Moser I, Hurtado-Barroso S, Guasch-Ferré M, Lamuela-Raventós RM
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In the ARISTOTLE study, a randomized control trial was conducted with 63 participants who consumed either 25g/day of skin roasted peanuts, two tablespoons of peanut butter per day, or two tablespoons per day of a control butter based on peanut oil alongside their usual diet for a period of 6 months. This was done to understand the impact of regular peanut consumption on anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical measurements. Additionally, a meta-analysis was carried out incorporating data from several clinical trials, including the aforementioned ARISTOTLE study, to further consider the effects of consuming peanuts and peanut butter in both healthy individuals and those at a high cardiometabolic risk.
The findings from the ARISTOTLE study indicated that lower total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratios were observed in the group consuming skin roasted peanuts compared to the control butter group. Furthermore, the meta-analysis of clinical trials highlighted an association between peanut consumption and a decrease in triglycerides. It was seen that healthy consumers had lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratios compared to control groups. However, it was also discovered that individuals at a high cardiometabolic risk experienced an increase in body weight following the peanut interventions, despite no change in body fat or body mass index. From the dose-response analyses, it was inferred that body weight slightly escalated with higher dosages of peanuts.
The existing evidence, although with low level of confidence, suggests that walnut intake may have a beneficial effect on cognition-related outcomes, including cognitive function, mood, and stroke.
2021 Annals of Medicine Walnut intake, cognitive outcomes and risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis Cahoon, D., Shertukde, S. P., Avendano, E. E., et al.
Systematic Review Alzheimer's Disease Dementia Stroke
The existing evidence, although with low level of confidence, suggests that walnut intake may have a beneficial effect on cognition-related outcomes, including cognitive function, mood, and stroke. Limitations in study design and comparability render the available evidence insufficient to draw a firm conclusion regarding the effects of walnut on cognition in adults. High quality studies and standardized interventions and measurement tools are necessary to determine the role of walnut intake in cognitive health.
Cocoa flavanols exhibit health and aging benefits and may act as powerful agents in preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, and cancer.
2021 Food and Chemical Toxicology Impact of cocoa flavanols on human health Martin M, Ramos S
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This research primarily relies on a comprehensive review of numerous human studies conducted over the past two decades. These studies provided significant data related to the health effects of cocoa intake and its impact on various chronic diseases. The studies encompassed different demographics and health conditions.
Though most studies indicate beneficial effects of cocoa on health and prevention of chronic diseases, the results exhibit some inconsistency. Different studies suggest various mechanisms of action for cocoa, but these potential pathways are still not completely understood. Also, crucial issues like recommending cocoa consumption to healthy subjects or patients, determining the appropriate dosage, or the period of intake remain unresolved. Despite these unclarities, the potential of cocoa use to decrease the risk for certain chronic diseases and improve general health and quality of life is emphasized.
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