SMART-FOOD À BASE DE CASTANHA-DO-BRASIL COMO FONTE DE SELÊNIO NA DIETA DE POLICIAIS MILITARES: CARACTERIZAÇÃO QUÍMICA E EFEITO BIOLÓGICO

Abstract

Brazil nuts are a source of unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, and bioactive compounds that improve antioxidant enzymes, hormones, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Military exercise requires an intense and often stressful routine and alters these soldiers' circadian cycle, causing significant hormonal changes, further increasing cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to investigate the military police's perception about the health aspects of Brazil nuts' consumption. The effect on health promoted by the daily ingestion of a nutritious bar before and after four weeks of the intervention were evaluated by clinical, anthropometric, and body composition and biochemical parameters of the Military Police individuals (n = 22) from Mineiros-GO. A bibliographic review was carried out to present Brazil nuts' relevance as healthy food due to the presence of several nutrients in their composition and health benefits, addressing the benefits promoted by the balanced consumption of Brazil nuts. The study began with applying a semi-structured questionnaire to assess prior knowledge about the benefits of consuming nuts and oilseeds and after undergoing a clinical, anthropometric, nutritional, and blood collection to analyse biochemical markers. Nutritional bars for daily consumption were delivered each week. No adverse effects were reported due to consumption of the nutritive bar based on Brazil nut. As a result of previous knowledge about the health benefits of nuts and oilseeds, 27.3% reported knowing the recommended amount and its effects when consumed in excess, in addition to a lower than recommended daily consumption of Brazil nuts. After the intervention, for anthropometric and body composition data, there was a significant difference only for waist circumference, body fat, and lean body mass (p <0.05). The isolated evaluation of the clinical variable waist circumference showed an increase in values above the reference standards, being considered a risk factor for arterial hypertension, leading to cardiovascular diseases. There was a 9% increase in selenium concentration in the blood plasma after the intervention (p <0.03) with 3 g daily of nutritional bars based on Brazil nut after 30 days.