Announced recently on Dr. Oz, pine nuts are showing a possible weight loss effect due to their main ingredient, pinolenic acid, wjocj helps suppress the appetite and eliminate cravings. While research has shown that a large amount of this acid is found in the pine nuts which helps people feel more full for a longer period of time, it’s still not something that should be applied broadly to pine nut species, as Dr. Oz is doing.
When experiencing hunger suppression, body weight can consequently be reduced by keeping people from overeating the daily recommended dose of calories. Studies show that the pinolenic acid found specifically in Korean pine nuts acts on two gut hormones that work to satisfy hunger. One hormone’s job is to slow the gastric process that is emptying and the other is in charge of absorption of food in the gut. Research participants who were given pine nut oil showed a rise in these hormones and proclaimed to be fuller.
The Dr. Oz crew received this information from iTrustNews.com, where many of the benefits of pine nuts and their weight loss effects are discussed. They say consumption of these nuts can be in several different forms, including raw, powdered and liquid, and people can still get the beneficial pinolenic essential acid ingredient by eating any of those.
While Dr. Oz lauded the research’s position that pine nuts in any form will suffice, our dietitian cautioned that isn’t necessarily the case. “The research done with Korean pine nut oil should not be extrapolated to other pine nuts species, nor should we assume that the whole nut acts like the oil extract,” said Mary Hartley, RD. “Many people eat despite absence of hunger. But if legitimate hunger is a problem despite an adequate caloric intake, then pinolenic acid in the form of a high quality supplement might help.”
On top of suppressing the appetite, another possible benefit of pine nut oil could be lowering LDL cholesterol levels in the blood and helping to reduce bone loss in some women. Like many foods, this popular nut can certainly be part of a healthier lifestyle for almost anyone, but we wouldn’t recommend relying on it exclusively as a weight loss aid.
A few recipes with pine nuts that will allow you to eat the whole nut and reap all of its nutritional benefits, as well as warm, nutty flavor, are:
Chopped Broccoli with Pine Nuts
Quinoa Pilaf with Pine Nuts and Dried Fruit
Quinoa Pasta with Creamy Pesto and Tomatoes
Roasted Acorn Squash, Pomegranate and Arugula Salad
Thanks to the national television exposure the pine nuts have received, they currently seem to be hard to find in a grocery store or even the local health food store because they’re selling out quicker than anticipated. One solution to the problem if you’re really interested in buying them, find the nuts online at sites like Amazon, or speak with the manager at your grocer.
Also Read:
Dr. Oz’s Raspberry Ketones Dismissed by Dietitian as TV Hype
Healthy Obsession: Roasted Nuts
Altering Gut Bacteria to Manipulate Weight Could be the Next Big Thing in Obesity Management