It seems like we’ve been hearing for decades about the best way to improve our health, with new eating trends coming in and out of style. But it turns out a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for nutrition.
Novel research provides insights into how different foods affect our bodies, by leaving a specific “metabolic signature.” Nutritional metabolomics is the study of all metabolites in a cell, tissue or organ and can be used to assess an individual’s response to diet.1 While decades of nutrition research have proven that certain foods are better for overall well-being, a new study reveals how foods might affect different bodies in unique ways.
Investigators involved in a study2 from Harvard School of Public Health identified the “walnut signature” left in the body after eating walnuts, which describes which blood molecules are increased or decreased when walnuts are consumed. The researchers were able to use this signature to correlate consumption of walnuts with a reduced risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes, which may provide insight into exactly how walnuts contribute to cardiovascular health.
The methodology used in this study is almost as fascinating as the results. The study used “machine learning techniques” – as an application of artificial intelligence – to determine biomarkers in blood samples that were positively associated with walnut consumption. This type of research can tell us THAT a food like walnuts has an impact on personal health, and also WHY it does. Not only could the findings help future research related to walnut health benefits, but ultimately may help identify biomarkers of food groups and dietary patterns, so individuals can decide which foods are healthiest for their bodies based on genetic determinants, lifestyle, environment and other factors.
This National Nutrition Month, focus on foods that make you feel good, and personalize your plate with one of the recipes below.
- For plant-forward fans: California Walnut Meatless Meatballs
- For gluten-free bakers: Walnut Cranberry Granola Bars
- For savory snackers: Carolina BBQ Walnuts
- For your sweet tooth: Walnut, Chocolate and Avocado Mousse
1 Ulaszewska MM, Weinert CH, Trimigno A, et al. Nutrimetabolomics: An Integrative Action for Metabolomic Analyses in Human Nutritional Studies. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2019;63(1):e1800384. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201800384
2 Guasch-Ferré M, Hernández-Alonso P, Drouin-Chartier JP, et al. Walnut Consumption, Plasma Metabolomics, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. J Nutr. 2021;151(2):303-311. doi:10.1093/jn/nxaa374
