The effects of the acute consumption of peanuts on glycemic control and endothelial function in the postprandial state

Open Access
- Author:
- Gabauer, Rachel Marie
- Area of Honors:
- Nutritional Sciences
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Penny Margaret Kris-Etherton, Thesis Supervisor
Jill Patterson, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- peanuts
cardiovascular disease
atherosclerosis
endothelial function
postprandial state
flow-mediated dilation - Abstract:
- Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 600,000 people in 2013 alone. Certain risk factors, such as postprandial triglyceride response, glycemic control, and endothelial function, can increase the risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The postprandial state, i.e. the four hours following the consumption of a meal, is a key time when assessing risk factors for this disease because of its association with the onset of atherosclerosis and because many Americans spend most of their waking hours in this state. A high-fat, high-sugar meal can initiate inflammation during the postprandial state due to elevated triglyceride and glucose responses; this inflammation can lead to the narrowing of the arteries and endothelial dysfunction. Peanuts have certain cardioprotective qualities that may aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess acute triglyceride response, glycemic control, and endothelial health in the postprandial state in a population of 15 healthy, overweight male participants after the consumption of peanuts. Five blood samples (one baseline sample and four samples in the postprandial state) were taken from participants after the consumption of a shake containing peanuts and a control shake containing no peanuts during two separate visits to test glyceride and glucose responses. Endothelial function was assessed through an ultrasound flow-mediated dilation recording. The results showed that peanuts, when included in a high-fat meal, helped to blunt the triglyceride response and preserve endothelial function postprandially in healthy, overweight males.