| Abstract: | Due to their high lipid content, tree nuts are energy‐dense foods. However, they are also sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can affect the cardiovascular health in a positive way. Furthermore, tree nuts contain useful levels of plant sterols and their esters. The share of the esterified form ranges from 30% to 70%. Plant sterols are known to reduce serum cholesterol levels. The least known part of the lipid fraction in tree nuts is the group the carboxylic acid‐5‐hydroxytryptamides. They are suspected of causing stomach irritation, but also interfere with pain sensation. The C‐5‐HT level in tree nuts varies. Walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds contain less than 10 mg/kg, but Brazil nuts show C‐5‐HT amounts of up to 1000 mg/kg. Therefore, tree nuts can contribute significantly to the daily intake of C‐5‐HTs. In all of the nuts analyzed, the fatty acid profiles of the TAGs and the sterol esters were similar, containing mainly oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid. In contrast, the C‐5‐HTs generally consisted of saturated long‐chain fatty acids. |
