Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Research demonstrates that natural almond skins exhibit anti-viral protection and suggests they stimulate a response which contributes to an anti-viral immune defense.
Cultivated for 6,000 years, almonds possess health-promoting properties that support cardiovascular health, diabetes, protein quality as well as control of body weight (1). It is estimated that the average American consumes about one pound of almonds per year, with annual U.S. almond production approaching one billion pounds (2). The U.S. is the largest producer of almonds, accounting for 82% of the world’s output (3).
Almonds possess these health-promoting properties due to the high levels of plant antioxidants called phenols and flavonoids (4). Now a new study (5) has suggested that almonds, specifically the skin of almonds, may support immune system function.
In the study, researchers subjected 1.5 grams of either blanched or natural almond skins to simulated stomach and intestinal digestion, intestinal digestion, or both with a method used in previous research (6) that included sodium hydroxide, enzymes, bile salts, and calcium chloride. The control group of blanched and natural almond skins were exposed to salt water solutions with no enzymes.
The researchers then exposed the different groups of almond skins (60 micrograms/milliliter in each group) to human white blood cells for 24 hours. The researchers exposed a segment of each group to a virus (herpes simplex virus, [HSV-2]) for another 24 hours to measure cell protection against viral infection.Almond skins are the dark outer covering of almonds that is removed in blanching. The percent skin in almonds varies with the variety, but constitutes in the range of 10% of the almond. The body levels of the constituents may reach test conditions with continued daily use of 3 ounces of almonds.”
The researchers found that only the natural almond skins exhibited anti-viral protection. Specifically, levels of immune markers, such as Interferon –alpha (IFN-alpha), Interleukin -12 (IL-12), IFN-gamma, and Tissue Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) all significantly increased when exposed to digested natural almond skins. In addition, markers of an antibody response (T-Helper-2 [TH-2] cytokines), i.e., IL-10, and IL-4 also were also found. These markers are all representative of the body’s healthy response to viral exposure.
For the researchers, “this suggests that (natural) almond skins (may) stimulate the immune response and thus contribute to an antiviral immune defense.”
Source: Arena, Adriana, et al. “Immunomodulatory and antiviral activity of almond skins.” Immunology letters 132.1 (2010): 18-23.
© 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Posted February 3, 2011.
Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Danville, CA. You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com
References.
- Lapsley K. Health Benefits of Almonds. Cereal Foods World. 2004; 49(1): 6–10
- “Huge almond crop moves well with consumption gains” published by Western Farm Press December 21, 2002 – see the Western Farm Press website.
- Wang Hui-qiang . Current Global Almond Trade and Its Consumption Patterns Analysis. Forestry Studies in China, 7(4): 35–40
- Milbury, P; Chen, CY; Dolnikowski, G; Blumberg, J Arean A. Immunomodulatory and antiviral activity of almond skins. Immunology Letters, Volume 132 (1-2): 18-23
- Mandalari G, Faulks RM, Rich GT, Lo Turco V, Picout DR, Lo Curto RB, et al. Release of protein, lipid and vitamin E from almond seeds during digestion. J Agric Food Chem 2008;56:3409–16.
- Mandalari G, Tomaino A, Rich GT, Lo Curto RB, Bisignano C, Saija A, et al. Polyphenolandnutrientreleasefromskinofalmondsduringsimulatedhuman digestion. Food Chem 2010;122:1083–8.
