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Nuts: a heart healthy source of protein
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A recent in-depth study by Harvard University suggests that a shift in protein sources can have a major impact on the incidence of heart disease. Consuming more nuts and fish instead of red meat was linked to a significant decrease in heart problems.
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No effect of peanut processing on cholesterol benefits
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 Peanuts are a popular snack. Consuming peanuts is also associated with improved cholesterol levels, especially in people who already have high levels. However, it was not known whether the processing of peanuts would influence this health benefit. A multi-centre project recently tested this assumption and found no differences between processed or unprocessed peanuts.In the study a total of 118 persons from Brazil, Ghana and the United States ate 56 g of peanuts daily for four weeks. The research team randomly assigned participants to eat unprocessed peanuts, unsalted roasted peanuts, salted roasted peanuts, honey roasted peanuts or peanut butter. To determine whether there were different effects, the cholesterol levels of the subjects were measured both before and after the study period. Lower cholesterol levels The results confirm the difference in the effects on persons with normal and higher cholesterol levels. Significantly lower cholesterol concentrations after eating peanuts were seen in persons who had high cholesterol levels at the start of the study. They not only had lower total cholesterol levels, the “bad” LDL-cholesterol also decreased significantly. No significant results were seen in participants with normal cholesterol levels at the start. Interestingly, no differences in cholesterol effects were observed when comparing the different types of peanuts. According to the authors this suggests that peanut processing does not compromise the cholesterol-lowering properties. Further study Further study should confirm the beneficial effects of processed peanuts on cholesterol, as currently there has been only a limited amount of research in this area. Additionally, in order to gain a better understanding of the health effects of processed peanuts, research should focus on health factors other than cholesterol. Source: McKiernan F, Lokko P, Kuevi A, Sales RL, Costa NM, Bressan J, Alfenas RC, Mattes RD. Effects of peanut processing on body weight and fasting plasma lipids. Br J Nutr. 2010 Aug;104(3):418-26. Epub 2010 May 11. |
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The diversity of nuts!
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 Nuts aren’t just crunchy and full of flavour…there is more to them besides! Now…on Facebook, discover the facets of your favourite snack that you probably haven’t even dreamed of and in MY NUTTY CHARACTER, reveal your own nutty character traits that have yet to be discovered. |
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In the spotlight: cashews
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 The cashew nut (also called Bombay nut) is a popular nut among consumers. The cashew nut originally comes from Brazil. Remarkably enough, explorers from Portugal who first discovered the nut took the cashew tree to different countries. Nowadays, the cashew tree can be found in Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, India and Brazil.Cashew apples The cashew apple grows on a tropical tree of about 12 to 15 metres high. The cashew nut grows on the cashew apple. Sometimes more than one cashew nut grows on a single cashew apple. As a matter of fact, the cashew apple, which may vary in colour from yellow to red, is edible. It can also be made into cashew juice. Intensive processing The cashew nut requires very intensive processing. First of all, the cashew nut is roasted in the hull, enabling it to be cracked; in some countries the nuts are still cracked by hand. The cashew nut remains, but there is still a skin around it that has to be removed by hand. This is one of the reasons that cashews nut are expensive. |
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Prize winners About Nuts contest tour California
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 Maurice Koppers and his girlfriend Judith were the lucky winners of last year’s About Nuts contest. They used their prize – two tickets to California – well, travelling from Los Angeles to San Francisco in April this year. The couple agrees on the beauty of California: “We have had a marvellous trip and encountered great sights, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the famous Hollywood letters and Morro Bay, scattered with thousands of sea lions.” Mr Koppers won the tickets after playing the About Nuts game, which was featured on the About Nuts website. He won by correctly filling in the origins of different nuts.
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Cooking with nuts: Indonesian pak choi with cashew nuts
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Main course 
4 servings 
20 min
Imprint |
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Editorial staff |
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