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‘Cashew Is healthy for Diabetes, Hypertension’

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CASHEW

 

In both developed and developing countries, hypertension and diabetes are of serious public health concerns.

Synthetic drugs used for managing these diseases are expensive; they also have their side effects due to long term usage. In some people, treatment is usually inadequate or not yielding the desired positive result.

More so, diabetes is a risk factor for hypertension and vice versa, hence it is necessary to look for a multi-potent treatment regimen from cheaper, safer, efficacious and accessible natural sources that can help to manage both diseases.

Now, experts in a new study say that cashew nut in diet of individuals with diabetes reduced systolic blood pressure and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations with no deleterious effects on body weight or blood sugar level.

It was earlier believed that all nuts were bad as they contain quite a lot of calories and people thought taking nuts would result in increased weight and high cholesterol. However, during the last decade, the nutritional value of nuts like walnuts and their health benefits have been proven by many studies.

The randomised controlled trial on the health effects of cashew nuts in the Journal of Nutrition was among adults with type 2 diabetes involving 300 adults with diabetes in Chennai that were randomly assigned to receive advice to follow a standard diabetic diet (control) or similar advice plus 30g cashew nuts/d (intervention).

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At the end of 12 weeks, the researchers’ analysed various parameters, such as their blood pressure, cholesterol level, etc. In addition to their medication, the participants were asked to follow a standard diabetic diet of 1,400 calories, with 60 to 65per cent of energy coming from carbohydrates, 15 to 25per cent from fat, and the rest from protein.

The results of the study showed that their blood pressure – usually high among those with diabetes – had dropped by 5mm, whereas their high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level or ‘the good cholesterol’ had also increased by 2 milligram.

The researchers, however, pointed out that the study was done using raw cashew nuts, adding that the beneficial effects of cashew may be mitigated, if the cashew nut is salted or roasted in unhealthy oils or ghee.

Although commonly referred to as tree nuts, and nutritionally comparable to them, cashews are really seeds.  The nuts contain high levels of magnesium and potassium – which are essential elements in the human body. A handful of cashew nuts – or 100g – contain 292mg of magnesium.

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Magnesium helps keep heart rhythm steady; it is vital for healthy bones and teeth, muscle function, the nervous system and keeps bowels healthy.  It can also control blood sugar to combat insulin resistance which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

But experts have since revealed there is a link between the proteins (albumin and globulin) content of cashew nut to its blood sugar lowering effect and the increased HDL in people who eat the nuts in a dose –dependent fashion.

The researchers said in the March edition of Heliyon that cashew nut is laden with useful plant proteins that may be further explored for regulation of blood pressure and sugar in the hypertensive and diabetic.

However, moderation is the key as an intake of more than a handful of cashew can spike one’s calorie intake which may elevate the risk of allergy and oxalates. Excess of oxalates may cause kidney stones.

Moreover, some nuts are better than others for people with diabetes. For example, several studies link eating tree nuts, which include almonds, with improved blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.

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In a 2011 study involving 20 people with type 2 diabetes, the participants who ate 60 grams of almonds daily experienced lower levels of fasting insulin and fasting blood sugar than those who ate a controlled diet.

Almonds may also be beneficial for pre-diabetes, a condition in which a person’s blood sugar levels are abnormally high but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. According to the American Diabetes Association, people with pre-diabetes have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The results of a 2010 study indicate that an almond-enriched diet, in which almonds contribute 20 percent of the total calories, may improve insulin sensitivity and cholesterol levels in people with pre-diabetes.

It is important to choose unsalted almonds and avoid those that have a coating of sugar, honey, or chocolate. Salt can increase blood pressure and heart problems, while sugar is a carbohydrate and not a good choice for people with diabetes.

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After five days, body of missing Lagos drainage worker recovered

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After days of intensive search, the corpse of a drainage worker, who got trapped while clearing the debris that blocked a tunnel in the Onipanu area of Lagos State has been recovered.

Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, while confirming this in a statement on Friday, identified the deceased as 59-year-old Tajudeen Amololo.

 

The LASEMA boss in the statement said, “The victim identified as Mr. Tajudeen Amololo (age-59) has been recovered dead from the drainage and bagged by cobra team subsequently handed him over to LAMATA (Drainducks) with the Nigeria Police Force Ilupeju Division officials for adequate action.

“Recovery operation concluded while cobra team with the agency’s paramedic heading back to base.”

 

The sad incident happened on Monday while the victim was de-silting drainage in the community.

 

Oke-Osanyintolu noted that the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority employed a male adult who works for Drain Ducks.

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Depraved: Man arrested for raping four-year-old girl in Ekiti

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The Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has apprehended one Afolabi Ojo for allegedly raping a four-year-old pupil.

It was gathered that the mother of the young girl reported the incident at the NSCDC Command in Ado-Ekiti, where she informed officials that the assault took place on Olujoda Street. Subsequently, the suspect was arrested.

 

During questioning, the girl disclosed that the suspect had removed her underwear and sexually assaulted her late in April.

Additionally, the girl’s mother stated that her daughter had confided in her about the incident.

 

However, the suspect denied all allegations, claiming he was falsely accused.

 

The Public Relations Officer of NSCDC in the state, Tolu Afolabi, confirmed that a medical examination had been conducted on the girl.

Afolabi revealed that the medical report confirmed the rupture of the hymen of the young girl.

 

Furthermore, Afolabi stated that the command had initiated an investigation into the matter.

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Customs intercepts cryptocurrency machines, $1.2 million, 148 drones in Lagos

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The Murtala Muhammed International Airport command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its officers intercepted fake $1.2 million notes, 148 drones, and five cryptocurrency machines in Lagos.

Speaking on Thursday during the hand over of the seized items to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Charles Orbih, customs area commander, said the items were confiscated between January and April.

 

Orbih said the intercepted items were handed over to the appropriate authorities in Lagos as directed by Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs.

 

“The command also handed over 148 pieces of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) also known as drones, 112 military hardware and accessories, two bulletproof helmets and two military vests to the 81 division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos,” NAN quoted Orbih as saying.

 

“The counterfeited foreign currencies were handed over to the EFCC’s assistant commander, Oguzi Moses.

 

“Also, the UAVs and other military hardware were handed over to the General Officer commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammad Usman.”

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He said the importers of the UAVs were unable to present an end-user certificate (EUC) from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA).

 

“Virtually all the drones were abandoned, while drones above 250 grams are to come with EUCs and whenever we ask for the certificate, they abandon the UAVs,” he added.

The area commander said the NCS generated N19 billion in revenue between January and April this year, adding that there was a 67 percent increase in collection when juxtaposed with 2023.

“In line with the NCS mandate of revenue collection, revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation and national security, the officers and men of the command under my watch remained resolute and dedicated in ensuring the blockage of revenue leakages,” he added.

“The command also ensured facilitation of legitimate trade through a combined effort, in compliance with the policy thrust of the comptroller-general of customs.

 

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“The command generated N19 billion between January and April 2024. This represents 42 percent collection of the annual revenue target given to the command for the year 2024 and 67 percent increase in collection against the preceding year of 2023.

 

“In our continued effort to block revenue leakages, the command made some seizures and detention of the following items — precious stones such as zinc, lithium, copper stones/sand, 120 pieces of SIM cards.

 

“The command seized four drones with a duty paid value of N7.8 million; one wooden giraffe statue and five bulletproof jackets with a DPV of N1.25 million.”

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