In a study published online this week in the journal Nutrients, researchers found that eating a variety of tree nuts, including almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts, improved tryptophan metabolism in overweight people. fat man In particular, serotonin, a neurotransmitter, and cardioprotective tryptophan metabolites both increased.
In a previous study, UCLA researchers showed that consuming 1.5 ounces of tree nuts per day (compared to pretzels) during a 24-week weight loss and weight maintenance period led to weight loss, increased satiety, decreased diastolic blood pressure, and decreased heart rate. Tryptophan (found in tree nuts) has been implicated as an important factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD). (Also read: Ayurveda expert Dr )
It is metabolized in the gut, producing several bioactive metabolites that are important in immune regulation affecting chronic diseases such as diabetes and CVD. The current study looked at whether tree nut snacks as part of a hypocaloric diet could modulate the gut microbiome, resulting in increased levels of cardio-protective tryptophan microbial metabolites.
Plasma and stool samples were collected from 95 overweight or obese participants and assessed for tryptophan metabolites and gut microbiota in the present study. “We’ve known for a long time that tree nuts help reduce CVD risk, and these findings provide some possible explanations.”
Lead researcher Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and head of the Department of Clinical Nutrition at UCLA, said, “We discovered some novel associations between tryptophan metabolites and blood pressure, heart rate, and satiety in overweight/obese subjects. Overall, including cardiovascular health Widespread Effects of Tryptophan Metabolism on Health.”
Another interesting finding was a significant increase in blood serotonin levels (60.9 percent and 82.2 percent increase from baseline at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively) in those consuming mixed tree nuts during both the weight loss and weight maintenance phases. “This is the first time we have seen mixed tree nut consumption associated with an increase in serotonin levels in the body,” explained Dr. Lee.
“While more research is needed, this is exciting because serotonin can have significant effects on mood and overall mental health.”
Research shows that people get about 25 percent of their calories each day from snacks, and a large proportion comes from sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets and salty snacks.
“Replacing one of those snacks with 1.5 ounces of tree nuts can help improve overall health and reduce the risk of various chronic diseases,” said Maureen Turnus, MS, RDN, executive director of the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation.
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