Nuts, omega-3s and food labels (2024)

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Nuts, omega-3s and food labels (1)

Link to Publisher's site

It is misleading to suggest, as Erica Weir and associates1 have done in a recent Public Health article, that nuts and seeds (other than flaxseed) are sources of omega-3 fatty acids. One hundred grams of the oil extracted from the most common nuts (peanut, coconut, almond, hazel, Brazil and cashew) would provide about 900 kcal of energy but no omega-3 fatty acids. Of the oils from these nuts, that of cashew has the highest omega-3 fatty acid content, at only 0.14 g/100 g.2 The only nuts that are good sources of omega-3 fatty acid are walnut (10.4% of the oil)2 and the almost-extinct butternut.

As a practical tip for Canadians, unhydrogenated canola oil is cheap and contains about 10% omega-3 fatty acid (α-linoleic acid) without an excessively high content of omega-6 fatty acid (linoleic acid).2 Similarly, flaxseed oil, at 55% omega-3 fatty acid, may be used as a supplement.2 Any oily fish contains the longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which lower triglycerides and have other health benefits.3

Arguably, the most successful secondary prevention trial for heart disease was the Lyon Diet Heart Study,4 in which the only intervention was a daily dose of about 2 tablespoons (about 30 mL) of unhydrogenated canola oil in the form of a margarine. Omega-3 fatty acids are vitally important, and our new food labels should indeed help us to make informed choices.

Eddie Vos Sutton, Que.

References

1. Weir E, Traynor M, Levin W. Nutrition labelling tidbits. CMAJ 2004;170(10):1538-9. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

2. Search the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, release 16-1 [online]. [place unknown]: USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory; 2004. Available: www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/ (accessed 2004 Aug 17).

3. Harris WS, Connor WE, Illingworth DR, Rothrock DW, Foster DM. Effects of fish oil on VLDL triglyceride kinetics in humans. J Lipid Res 1990;31(9):1549-58. [PubMed]

4. Leaf A. Dietary prevention of coronary heart disease. The Lyon Diet Heart Study [editorial]. Circulation 1999;99:733-5. [PubMed]

Articles from CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal are provided here courtesy of Canadian Medical Association

Nuts, omega-3s and food labels (2024)

FAQs

What nuts are high in omega-3 list? ›

Nuts and seeds
FoodServing size (g)Omega-3 (mg)
Macadamia nuts, dry roasted100259
Pecans100986
Pistachios, raw100254
Poppy seed100273
12 more rows

What nuts are omega-3 source? ›

Which nuts are highest in omega-3 ALA?
Nut typeOmega-3 ALA (mg) per 30g serveOmega-3 ALA (mg) per 100g
Walnut1,8846,280
Pecan186620
Pistachio96320
Macadamia60200
6 more rows
Feb 15, 2022

How is omega-3 listed on food labels? ›

Grams and milligrams The amount of the Omega fatty acids per serving on the label may be expressed either as the number of milligrams per serving or the number of grams per serving.

Are almonds high in omega-3? ›

However, almonds are not an overwhelming source of ALA, as 100 grams of almonds (nearly 100 almonds, and almost 600 calories' worth) only contain about 0.003 grams of the fatty acid. It is important to note, too, that almonds only contain ALA omega-3 and do not provide either DHA or EPA.

Is avocado high in omega-3? ›

Avocados are not a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Like other non-animal sources of omega-3 fatty acids, avocados contain the omega-3 fatty acid ALA, which your body does not use as effectively as EPA and DHA. These more beneficial types only come from animal-based sources, such as fatty fish.

Can I get enough omega-3 from nuts? ›

Nuts are a great snack for getting more healthy omega-3s in your diet, but they don't provide all the omega-3s you need and they are calorie dense. For help getting more DHA and EPA in your daily nutrition, look no further than iwi life.

Do eggs have enough omega-3? ›

You bet they do. Eggs are mother nature's incredible and edible source of Omega-3 fatty acids, providing on average, 180mg per serve (2 eggs). Of this amount, 114mg is the long-chain type of omega-3 fatty acid – which represents between 71-127% of the desired intake for adults.

How many walnuts to eat per day for omega-3? ›

Eating at least four walnuts a day will help in curing many diseases, including cancer, obesity, diabetes as well as in maintaining body weight, cognitive, reproductive health and many other lifestyle problems, according to studies. “Walnuts are the powerhouse of nutrients for optimum health.

Is olive oil high in omega-3? ›

Olive oil contains little omega-3, a little omega-6, but above all a lot of omega-9! This monounsaturated fatty acid is also a "good fat". It is excellent for maintaining heart health and reducing hypercholesterolemia.

Is 1000 mg of omega-3 per day too much? ›

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that people with coronary heart disease or heart failure take omega-3 supplements containing EPA and DHA daily. More research is needed to establish the ideal dose, but most studies have used about 1,000 mg per day.

How long does it take to recover from omega-3 deficiency? ›

How long does it take for omega-3's to work? Levels of omega-3's build up quickly in the body once you take supplements. But it may take 6 weeks to 6 months to see a significant change in mood, pain, or other symptoms. What brands of omega-3's should I consider?

What is the number one healthiest nut? ›

1. Almonds. Relatively low in calories, almonds are an excellent food for health due to their protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Which nut has the highest omega-3? ›

Walnut oil is the highest in omega-3s. Consider using nut oils in homemade salad dressing or in cooking.

Can eating too many nuts cause inflammation? ›

Although a higher consumption of nuts and peanuts was associated with lower CVD risk in women with T2D, it was not significantly associated with the inflammatory markers, including tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR), ICAM-1, E-selectin, CRP, or fibrinogen.

What fruit is very high in omega-3? ›

Kiwifruit, papaya, avocados, berries, and oranges contain a good amount of Omega-3 fatty acids. However, one should note that one can't completely rely on these fruits to fulfill their Omega-3 needs! Make sure you also include fish, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds among others in your daily diet.

Which has more omega-3 walnuts or pecans? ›

Is one healthier? Both pecans and walnuts are nutritious, but they have slightly different nutrient profiles. While pecans are higher in fat and calories, walnuts are higher in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. When it comes to choosing between the two, one tree nut isn't “healthier” than the other.

Are eggs high in omega-3? ›

You bet they do. Eggs are mother nature's incredible and edible source of Omega-3 fatty acids, providing on average, 180mg per serve (2 eggs). Of this amount, 114mg is the long-chain type of omega-3 fatty acid – which represents between 71-127% of the desired intake for adults.

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