TY - JOUR
T1 - Brazil nuts
T2 - Nutritional composition, health benefits and safety aspects
AU - Cardoso, Bárbara R.
AU - Duarte, Graziela B.Silva
AU - Reis, Bruna Z.
AU - Cozzolino, Silvia M.F.
PY - 2017/10/1
Y1 - 2017/10/1
N2 - Brazil nuts are among the richest selenium food sources, and studies have considered this Amazonian nut as an alternative for selenium supplementation. Besides selenium, Brazil nuts present relevant content of other micronutrients such as magnesium, copper, and zinc. The nutritional composition of nuts, also characterized by adequate fatty acid profile and high content of protein and bioactive compounds, has many health benefits. In the present review, we examine the nutritional composition of Brazil nuts, comparing it with other nuts, and describe the relevance of possible contaminants and metal toxicants observed in this nut for human health. Furthermore, we report different trials available in the literature, which demonstrate positive outcomes such as modulation of the lipid serum profile, enhancement of the antioxidant system and improvement of anti-inflammatory response. These effects have been assessed under different conditions, such as cognitive impairment, dyslipidemia, cancer, and renal failure.
AB - Brazil nuts are among the richest selenium food sources, and studies have considered this Amazonian nut as an alternative for selenium supplementation. Besides selenium, Brazil nuts present relevant content of other micronutrients such as magnesium, copper, and zinc. The nutritional composition of nuts, also characterized by adequate fatty acid profile and high content of protein and bioactive compounds, has many health benefits. In the present review, we examine the nutritional composition of Brazil nuts, comparing it with other nuts, and describe the relevance of possible contaminants and metal toxicants observed in this nut for human health. Furthermore, we report different trials available in the literature, which demonstrate positive outcomes such as modulation of the lipid serum profile, enhancement of the antioxidant system and improvement of anti-inflammatory response. These effects have been assessed under different conditions, such as cognitive impairment, dyslipidemia, cancer, and renal failure.
KW - Antioxidants
KW - Brazil nut
KW - Health effects
KW - Nuts
KW - Phytochemicals
KW - Selenium
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85028337535&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.08.036
DO - 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.08.036
M3 - Review Article
C2 - 28888463
AN - SCOPUS:85028337535
SN - 0963-9969
VL - 100
SP - 9
EP - 18
JO - Food Research International
JF - Food Research International
ER -
