Adding
peanuts to a meal benefits vascular health
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
(FASEB), Science Daily
A study of peanut consumption showed that including them as a part of a high fat meal improved the post-meal triglyceride response and preserved endothelial function.
"Peanuts are a healthy snack when eaten as part of a
healthy diet," said lead researcher Xiaoran Liu, a graduate student in the
Department of Nutritional Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University.
The purpose of this research was to evaluate vascular function
after a high fat meal challenge. Fifteen overweight males were randomized to
either a peanut meal containing 3 oz. of ground peanuts (as a shake) or a
control meal (a shake without peanuts) that were matched for energy and
macronutrients.
The control meal decreased FMD by 1.2 percent compared to baseline. In
contrast, there was no decrease in FMD after the peanut meal. These results
demonstrate that the peanut meal maintained normal vascular function whereas
the high fat-matched control meal impaired vascular function acutely.
Vascular dysfunction plays a major role in the development of
atherosclerosis and the formation of coronary plaques and lesions that lead to
coronary artery disease. Typically after a high fat meal, vascular function is
reduced, albeit temporarily, until the fat that is in the blood (from the meal)
is cleared.
Strategies that can blunt this response to both dietary fat and its
effect on vascular dysfunction may decrease the risk of coronary disease. Our
finding demonstrated that that peanut consumption was shown to be
atheroprotective as a part of high fat meal.
"Previous studies have shown that individuals who consume
peanuts more than two times a week have a lower risk of coronary heart
disease," said Liu. "This study indicates that the protective effect
of peanut consumption could be due, in part, to its beneficial effect on artery
health."
Peanuts are nutrient dense and energy dense, so Liu noted the
importance of being aware of their calorie content when incorporating them in
the diet. Thus, peanuts must replace other food sources of calories when
included in the diet. For example, peanuts can be substituted for high fat,
nutrient-poor foods in the diet that contain solid fats.
Looking ahead, the Penn State group hopes to investigate the
effects of peanut consumption on other risk factors including inflammatory
markers. Liu will present the research at the American Society for Nutrition's
Scientific Sessions & Annual Meeting during EB 2015.
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The above story is based on materials provided by Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). Note:
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Cite This Page:
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
(FASEB). "Adding peanuts to a meal benefits vascular health." Science Daily,
30 March 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150330112230.htm>.