In recent times, the Mediterranean diet plans are very popular because it has a lot of advantage in protecting from chronic health problems. Nuts are the integral part of the Mediterranean diet and advised to be incorporated in diet for health benefits. Both tree nuts and pea nut are good source of unsaturated fatty acids, soluble and insoluble fibers, good quantity of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals with recognized benefits to human health. Due to life style disorders many chronic diseases are increasing in human beings. There are many epidemiological studies and research conducted on the relationship between consumption of nuts and chronic disease risks. This book chapter elaborately discusses about the nutritional composition of the nuts and their effect on cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer.

Nuts, including peanuts, have always been an important part of the human diet. They are nutrient-dense food products containing health-friendly lipids, beneficial phytonutrients, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Basic, clinical, and epidemiological research is now being directed towards understanding the mechanisms by which nuts influence human health and developing dietary guidelines for their optimum consumption. Research is also being directed towards the issues of fungal contamination of nuts, associated risks to human health, and methods of minimizing such risks. This book addresses these topics in chapters written by international experts in the field.

Nuts and dried fruits are part of our daily diet. They are consumed whole or as ingredients of many food products such as muffins, cereals, chocolates, energy bars, breads, and cookies, among others. Health Benefits of Nuts and Dried Fruits provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on the health benefits of nuts and dried fruits. The book summarizes the current state of knowledge in key research areas and provides ideas for future scientific research and product development. Nuts, a term that comprises tree nuts and peanuts, are highly nutritious, containing health-promoting macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, and bioactive phytochemicals; they are one of the edible foods with the highest content in antioxidants. The consumption of nuts is recognized for its health-promoting properties, which ranges from a consistent cholesterol-lowering effect in clinical trials to a robust association with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in prospective studies. In spite of the high energy content of nuts, there is no evidence that their frequent consumption promotes obesity, and they may even help control it. Dried fruits, which serve as important healthful snacks worldwide, are nutritionally equivalent to fresh fruits while providing all of their bioactive components in concentrated form. While the evidence level concerning the health effects of dried fruits lags behind that on nuts, it suggests that individuals who consume dried fruits regularly have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and other non-communicable diseases. Main features of the book concerning nuts and dried fruits: • Provides detailed information on health effects • Highlights current regulation and health claims • Provides updated dietary recommendations • Describes nutrient absorption and metabolism • Discusses mechanisms implicated in the health effects Although this book is intended primarily as a reference, by comprehensively reviewing the current state of knowledge it can guide future research on the topic. Among others, food scientists, biochemists, nutritionists, health professionals, decision makers, and regulatory agencies can draw much benefit from its contents. Hopefully, it will help in public health strategies to promote healthy aging and improve population wellbeing.

Nuts have been long perceived as a high-fat, high-calorie food, best avoided or consumed in moderation. However, research is showing that tree nuts are cholesterol-free and contain unsaturated fats which can help lower the risk of heart disease. Nuts also provide essential nutrients such as magnesium, chromium, zinc, and manganese. Like all plant foods they are high in fiber and phytochemicals. This book examines ten popular tree nuts and describes each nut's compositional characteristics, lipid characteristics, effects of consumption on serum lipid profiles, as well as their phytochemicals and role disease prevention. In addition the book covers allergens and uses for non-edible parts.

A popular health writer gets down to the nuts and bolts of these superfoods—from almonds and quinoa to chia and hemp seeds. Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds are bursting with vital nutrients. Even just a handful is rich with vitamins, minerals and fats, all of which we need, and which team up to help your heart, brain and waistline. As little as an ounce a day provides invaluable fiber, protein, and immune-boosting minerals. Nuts and seeds contain mono and polyunsaturated fats, healthful fats which are essential to maintaining the normal structure of every cell in our bodies. Meats, full-fat dairy, fried foods and processed foods are where the harmful forms of saturated and trans fats are found. Research shows that diets high in these unhealthy fats can lead to a host of diseases. Choosing healthy fats lowers cholesterol and enriches cell development, growth and repair. Nuts and Seeds is “a superb treatise on the benefits of those foodstuffs” (Books Monthly). “If you want to add more nuts and seeds into your diet, reading this book can be very helpful. Also, diversifying both the kind of nuts and how they are prepared is very interesting and she highlights this in the book.” —Coffee and Books

Diet and Health examines the many complex issues concerning diet and its role in increasing or decreasing the risk of chronic disease. It proposes dietary recommendations for reducing the risk of the major diseases and causes of death today: atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (including heart attack and stroke), cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and dental caries.

Nuts and Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention, Second Edition investigates the benefits of nuts and seeds in health and disease prevention using an organizational style that will provide easy-access to information that supports identifying treatment options and the development of symptom-specific functional foods. This book examines seeds and nuts as agents that affect metabolism and other health-related conditions and explores the impact of compositional differences between various seeds and nuts, including differences based on country of origin and processing technique. Finally, the book includes methods for the analysis of seed and nut-related compounds. Written for nutrition researchers, nutritionists, food scientists, government regulators of food, and students of agriculture, oils and feeds, nutrition and life sciences, this book is sure to be a welcomed resource. Identifies options and opportunities for improving health through the consumption of nut and seed products Provides easy access to information that supports the identification of treatment options Contains insights into health benefits that will assist in development of symptom-specific functional foods Examines seeds and nuts as agents that affect metabolism and other health-related conditions Explores the impact of compositional differences between various seeds and nuts, including differences based on country of origin and processing technique Includes methods for analysis of seed and nut-related compound