It has been shown, that substituting soy nuts for a nonsoy protein diet lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 9.9% and 6.8%, in postmenopausal women with hypertension and by 5.2% and 2.9%, in postmenopausal women without hypertension.
Daily intake of soy protein/isoflavones can also help reduce the risk of heart disease by generating a reduction in vascular cell adhesion molecule.
An early stage in the development of atherosclerosis is the recruitment of white blood cells (monocytes) into the arterial wall. Monocytes normally circulate in the blood looking for cellular damage to ingest (remove). Monocytes attach to the arterial wall at sites of damage or pollution. The process of removing damaged tissue by monocytes generates tissue inflammation. The recruitment of monocytes to the arterial wall is directed by vascular cell adhesion molecules. Diminishing the activity of vascular cell adhesion molecules helps to supress the inflammatory process underlying atherosclerosis.
Daily intake of soy protein/isoflavones can help generate a reduction in vascular cell adhesion molecule. The results from the study noted below indicate that daily intake of soy protein/isoflavones can help generate a reduction in vascular cell adhesion molecules.
In this study, sixty healthy postmenopausal women (48 without hypertension and 12 with hypertension) consumed a regular diet or a diet in which one half cup of soy nuts (25 g soy protein and 101 mg aglycone isoflavones) replaced 25 grams of nonsoy protein daily. Soy nuts were consumed through out the day. Each diet was followed for 8 weeks.
Compared with the regular diet alone, levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule were significantly lower on the soy diet in women with hypertension (623.6 vs 553.8 ng/ml). There were no significant differences observed in the group of women without hypertension.
However, soy nuts were associated with a trend toward a reduction in C-reactive protein in the women without hypertension (normotensive). C-reactive protein is a bio-chemical marker of inflammation.
The reduction of vascular cell adhesion molecule with soy nut intake in women with hypertension suggests an improvement in endothelial function (the protective layer of cells that line the lumen of the artery) that may reflect an overall improvement in the inflammatory process underlying atherosclerosis.
Soy nuts are roasted soy beans. They are a tasty and nutritious snack. A one-ounce serving, about one-quarter cup, contains 120 calories, 10 grams of protein, six grams of fiber, four grams of fat, three unsaturated. You can get roasted soy nuts flavored, salted and unsalted. Mixing a quarter cup with freshly popped, unsalted organic popcorn provides a healthy snack.
Source:
Effect of Soy Nuts on Adhesion Molecules and Markers of Inflammation in Hypertensive and Normotensive Postmenopausal Women
Dr. Nasca MM,
Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
The American Journal of Cardiology 2008 Jul 1;102(1):84-6.
Soy nuts are made from soybeans soaked in water, drained, and then baked or roasted. They can be used in place of nuts and are high in protein and Dietary fiber.
Posted by: Buy Nuts Online | July 02, 2008 at 03:42 AM