Peanuts May Benefit Vascular Health
Adding peanuts as part of a high-fat meal improved triglyceride response and preserved endothelial function, according to new research presented at the American Society for Nutrition Scientific Sessions & Annual Meeting in Boston.
“The beneficial effects of peanuts are related to their nutrient and bioactive package—there are benefits when consumed with a high-fat meal or eaten alone,” says lead researcher Xiaoran Liu, a PhD student at The Pennsylvania State University.
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Liu and her colleagues wanted to evaluate the effects of peanut consumption on vascular function, glycemic control, and plasma lipids. They randomized 15 overweight men, ages 20 to 50, to receive either a shake containing 3 oz. of ground peanuts or a control shake matched for energy and macronutrients that did not contain peanuts.
They measured each participant’s lipid profile, glucose, and insulin 5 times after each meal and used flow-mediated dilation (FMD) to assess vascular function. While FMD decreased by 1.2% with the control shake, there was no decrease with the peanut shake—suggesting that adding peanuts to a high-fat meal protects vascular function.
“In our study, acute consumption of 3 oz. of peanut (85g) as a part of high fat meal maintained vascular function,” Liu says. She highlights two reasons why peanuts may have this beneficial effect on vascular health:
• Peanuts contain arginine, which is essential for vasodialation.
• Peanuts contain anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds that could potential preserve vascular function.
“Previously, epidemiological evidence has shown that people who consume peanuts more than 2 times per week have a lower coronary heart disease risk versus non-peanut consumers. However, the effects of long-term peanut consumption on vascular function require further study,” Liu says.
Liu emphasized that peanuts must replace other food sources of calories when incorporated into diet because they are nutrient and energy dense so they can serve as a good substitute for high-fat, nutrient-poor foods that contain solid fats.
“Health care providers should encourage their patients to include peanuts in a healthy dietary pattern,” Liu says. “They can be incorporated in a meal or enjoyed as a healthy snack.”
Moving forward, Liu and her colleagues plan to investigate the effects of peanut consumption on other risk factors, including inflammatory markers. They would also like to investigate whether anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds in peanuts have a beneficial effect on vascular function.
—Colleen Mullarkey
Reference
Liu X, Kris-Etherton PS. The benefits of unsaturated fats for disease reduction and health
Promotion. Presented at the American Society for Nutrition Scientific Sessions & Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts. March 30, 2015.