Effects of cashew nuts and groundnuts intake on some minerals in apparently healthy male subjects

Nuts consumption has been attributed to and recognized as a source of high energy food and good nutrition. The research assessed the effect of cashew and groundnuts consumption on the levels of some minerals (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, iron and total iron binding capacity). The nuts were administered to male subjects and the effects on electrolyte levels were assessed by comparing the results obtained before and after consumption of the nuts. The levels of sodium and potassium were determined using flame photometry while the bicarbonate and chloride were determined by titration. The results showed significant decrease (p<0.05) in the level of potassium after the consumption of cashew nuts. No significant changes were observed in the levels of sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, iron and total iron binding capacity after the consumption of cashew and groundnut. This may be due to the presence of high content of dietary fiber which readily accumulates in seeds.