Anti-atherosclerotic and cardiovascular protective benefits of Brazilian nuts. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Anti-atherosclerotic and cardiovascular protective benefits of Brazilian nuts.
Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2020 Jan 1 ;12:38-56. Epub 2020 Jan 1. PMID: 31585864
Carlos K B Ferrari
Brazil nuts are rich in magnesium, selenium, arginine and other amino acids, dietary fiber, tocopherols (vitamin E), phytosterols, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, sitosterols, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols and other amino acids. Due to such a rich mixture of nutrients, Brazil nuts protect LDL from peroxidation, and improve endothelial function, blood pressure, lipid metabolism, and decrease endothelial inflammatory markers, DNA oxidation, and blood lipids (cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides). Here, we review and propose biological mechanisms by which bioactive compounds of Brazil nuts afford protections against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Just a few nutsprovide sufficient cardiovascular benefits, including protection against development and progression of atherosclerosis.