Baking & Snack - December 2004 - 51

ᮤ The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts make
it an ingredient that can reduce the risk of
heart disease.
California Walnut Commission

A MONTH FOR 5 A DAY

"Supportive but not conclusive research sentative of typical Americans at cardioshows that eating 1.5 oz per day of wal- vascular risk. While previous studies have
nuts, as part of a low saturated fat and shown walnut supplementation favorably
low cholesterol diet and not resulting in in- affects cholesterol and other lipids that are
creased caloric intake, may reduce the risk signs of cardiovascular risk, this new study
of coronary heart disease. See nutrition is the first to demonstrate that a diet high
information for fat [and calorie] content."
in walnuts decreases C-reactive protein, a
The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts ac- marker of inflammation strongly associcount for their ability to reduce the risk of ated with heart disease.
heart disease. To meet the recommended
"The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts
daily intake for omega-3 - 1.6 g for men were converted to the same omega-3 fatty
and 1.1 g for women - consumers need to acids found in marine sources and had a
eat only 1 oz of walnuts, according to the similar effect on inflammation," said Penny
National Academy of Sciences.
Kris-Etherton, Ph.D., professor of nutrition
"Walnuts are an excellent plant source at Pennsylvania State University and prifor omega-3 fatty acids, which makes mary investigator for the study. "Reducing
them a good addition to your diet if you inflammation can help decrease the process
are interested in reducing risk of cancer of arteriosclerosis - the development and
and other chronic diseases," said Jeff build-up of plaque in the arteries."
Prince, vice-president
of education at the Web sites to consider
American Institute for
For more information on value-added ingredients
Cancer Research in
in grain-based foods, visit the following
Washington, DC.
Web sites:
In September, FDA
American Egg Board - www.aeb.org
gave omega-3 fatty
California Walnut Commission
acid its own qualified
- www.walnut.org
Produce for Better Health Foundation
health claim, saying,
- www.5aday.com
"Supportive but not
conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids ᮣ Adding fruit, like
may reduce the risk of coronary heart apples, to baked
disease."
foods such as tarts
Less than two months later, results from can help food manua Pennsylvania State University, Univer- facturers tie in to a
sity Park, PA, study showed that eating 5 a Day promotion
walnuts reduces markers for blood vessel for fruit.
inflammation in men and women repre- Atlanta Bread Co.
For

54 / BAKING & SNACK / December 2004

While walnuts were receiving health accolades this fall, fruit was given its own
month. National 5 a Day Month in September drew attention to the view of governmental health experts that consumers
should eat at least five servings of fruit
and vegetables a day.
The Produced for Better Health Foundation, based in Wilmington, DE, and the
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD,
founded the 5 a Day program in 1991.
Atlanta Bread Co., Atlanta, GA, promoted the month by offering menu items featuring apples in September and October. A
cinnamon apple tart baked fresh each day
featured warm apples and cinnamon.
The top three ready-to-eat cereal companies all have turned to fruit as value-added
ingredients during the past few years.
Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, MI, came
out first with Special K Red Berries.
Then, Minneapolis, MN-based General
Mills, Inc. followed by launching Berry
Burst Cheerios.
Finally, the Post Cereals unit of Kraft
Foods, Inc., Northfield, IL, added two
new Honey Bunches of Oats cereals, one
with bananas and one with peaches. The
line of cereals already included a strawberry version.
Ⅲ

http://www.aeb.org http://www.walnut.org http://www.5aday.com

Baking & Snack - December 2004

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