Almonds (Prunus Dulcis Mill. D. A. Webb): A Source of Nutrients and Health-Promoting Compounds

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Barreca D., Nabavi S. M., Sureda A., Rasekhian M., Raciti R., Silva A. S., ...Daha Fazla

NUTRIENTS, cilt.12, sa.3, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
  • Cilt numarası: 12 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2020
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/nu12030672
  • Dergi Adı: NUTRIENTS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: almonds, secondary metabolites, health-promoting properties, almond composition, clinical trials, CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS, IN-VITRO, POSTPRANDIAL GLYCEMIA, PHYTOESTROGEN CONTENT, PREBIOTIC PROPERTIES, POLYPHENOL CONTENT, LIPID OXIDATION, DNA-DAMAGE, CONSUMPTION, SKINS
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Almonds (Prunus dulcis Miller D. A. Webb (the almond or sweet almond)), from the Rosaceae family, have long been known as a source of essential nutrients; nowadays, they are in demand as a healthy food with increasing popularity for the general population and producers. Studies on the composition and characterization of almond macro- and micronutrients have shown that the nut has many nutritious ingredients such as fatty acids, lipids, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, as well as secondary metabolites. However, several factors affect the nutritional quality of almonds, including genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, investigations evaluating the effects of different factors on the quality of almonds were also included. In epidemiological studies, the consumption of almonds has been associated with several therapeutically and protective health benefits. Clinical studies have verified the modulatory effects on serum glucose, lipid and uric acid levels, the regulatory role on body weight, and protective effects against diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, recent researchers have also confirmed the prebiotic potential of almonds. The present review was carried out to emphasize the importance of almonds as a healthy food and source of beneficial constituents for human health, and to assess the factors affecting the quality of the almond kernel. Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and SciFinder were used to investigate previously published articles on almonds in terms of components and bioactivity potentials with a particular focus on clinical trials.