Effect of Sweetened Dried Cranberry Consumption on Urinary Proteome and Fecal Microbiome in Healthy Human Subjects.
The relationship among diet, human health, and disease is an area of growing interest in biomarker research. Previous studies suggest that the consumption of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) could beneficially influence urinary and digestive health. The present study sought to determine if daily consumption of sweetened dried cranberries (SDC) changes the urinary proteome and fecal microbiome, as determined in a prospective sample of 10 healthy individuals. Baseline urine and fecal samples were collected from the subjects in the fasted (8-12 h) state. The subjects then consumed one serving (42 g) of SDC daily with lunch for 2 weeks. Urine and fecal samples were collected again the day after 2 weeks of SDC consumption. Orbitrap Q-Exactive mass spectrometry of urinary proteins showed that consumption of SDC resulted in changes to 22 urinary proteins. Multiplex sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA genes in fecal samples indicated changes in relative abundance of several bacterial taxonomic units after consumption of SDC. There was a shift in the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio, increases in commensal bacteria, and decreases or the absence of bacteria associated with negative health effects. A decrease in uromodulin in all subjects and an increase in Akkermansia bacteria in most subjects were observed and warrant further investigation. Future larger clinical studies with multiomics and multitissue sampling designs are required to determine the effects of SDC consumption on nutrition and health.
Effects of hazelnuts and cocoa on vascular reactivity in healthy subjects: a randomised study.
Cocoa helps maintain endothelium-dependent vasodilation; consumption of hazelnuts has been associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk. This study assesses the effects of hazelnuts and cocoa on vascular reactivity and metabolic profile. Sixty-one healthy volunteers, examined in a randomised, controlled, two-week intervention, received one of six breakfast integrations containing either hazelnuts, cocoa, both or none. Consumption of unpeeled hazelnuts improved HDL-cholesterol (+7.3%, p = .01 vs. baseline, p = .02 vs. control). Brachial artery peak systolic velocities (PSV) at rest increased with hazelnut integrations by 43.4% (p = .04 vs. control) and hazelnut-cocoa integrations by 26.4% (p = .01 vs. control). PSV after 3-min cuff occlusion increased by 60.7% (p = .002 vs. control) with a peeled hazelnut snack and by 64.7% with a hazelnut-cocoa integration (p = .04 vs. control). The combination hazelnut-cocoa may act in a synergic and protective way on cardiovascular system.
Promising Nut and Dried Fruit Production Worldwide for 2017/18
During the debate sessions held at the latest INC Congress, recently celebrated in Chennai, India, the 2017/18 season world tree nut production (almonds, Amazonia -Brazil- nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts) has been forecasted at 4.2 million metric tons, up 25% from prior 10 years average (data referring to figures on a kernel basis, except for pistachios, which are in in-shell basis). This early estimation is a bellwether that crops’ consistent growth trajectory observed during the last decade is likely to continue.
Taking into account that is very early in the season to have accurate estimations, hazelnuts (kernel basis) are foreseen to experience the biggest increment, raised by 20% up to 475,000 MT, with Turkey producing 70% of the world share (the Turkish industry will be able to give a more precise figure in July). Conversely, Brazil nut global production (kernel basis) is expected to plunge at least 46% compared to the previous year. Shortage of rainfall during last 2 years in the Amazon rainforest, where these wild nuts are collected from, would allegedly be the main cause of this dramatic decline that is anticipated to affect all the levels of the supply chain.
World peanut production in 2017/18 is expected to reach 42 million MT (in-shell basis), up 2% from the 2016/17 season and raised by 16% from the previous 10 years average. It is calculated that China and India will keep leading production, accounting for 39% and 18% of the world total respectively.
2017/18 total dried fruit (table dates, dried apricots, sweetened dried cranberries, dried figs, prunes, raisins, sultanas and currants) production has been forecasted to reach 3 million MT; a 20% growth over the prior 10 years average. As in the previous season, dried apricots are expected to register the greatest growth, 35% compared to 2016/17, adding up to 229,500 MT, with Turkey as the leading producer (63%). Sweetened dried cranberries are also foreseen to increase 10% amounting 200,300 MT, from which 79% will be produced by the USA.
Overall, nut and dried fruit production is foreseen to keep growing by the means of new planting areas worldwide: California and Spain almond bearing acres keep increasing, and Australia expects to have 15,000 additional hectares planted by 2018, according to the Almond Board of Australia. Hazelnut growing area is enlarging in Italy, Georgia and the USA; in the US by around 12,000 ha in 2017. Macadamia orchards are being regenerated in Australia and there are substantial new plantings in new areas. Plantations in South Africa expanded by about 3,500 additional ha in 2016 and China is also planning to reach over 333,000 ha by 2020. Pistachio acreage continues to grow 5-7% a year in California and in Turkey as well. Walnut bearing acreage has increased by 30% in the past 11 years and 10,000 new hectares of walnut are expected to be planted in the next 5 years in Chile. US peanut is estimated to raise in about 24,000 ha in 2017.
Consumption is also being bolstered through innovation in usage of nuts and dried fruits as ingredients, snacks or new developments such as sauces, beverages, oils and spreads.
Promising Nut and Dried Fruit Production Worldwide for 2017/18
During the debate sessions held at the latest INC Congress, recently celebrated in Chennai, India, the 2017/18 season world tree nut production (almonds, Amazonia -Brazil- nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts) has been forecasted at 4.2 million metric tons, up 25% from prior 10 years average (data referring to figures on a kernel basis, except for pistachios, which are in in-shell basis). This early estimation is a bellwether that crops’ consistent growth trajectory observed during the last decade is likely to continue.
Taking into account that is very early in the season to have accurate estimations, hazelnuts (kernel basis) are foreseen to experience the biggest increment, raised by 20% up to 475,000 MT, with Turkey producing 70% of the world share (the Turkish industry will be able to give a more precise figure in July). Conversely, Brazil nut global production (kernel basis) is expected to plunge at least 46% compared to the previous year. Shortage of rainfall during last 2 years in the Amazon rainforest, where these wild nuts are collected from, would allegedly be the main cause of this dramatic decline that is anticipated to affect all the levels of the supply chain.
World peanut production in 2017/18 is expected to reach 42 million MT (in-shell basis), up 2% from the 2016/17 season and raised by 16% from the previous 10 years average. It is calculated that China and India will keep leading production, accounting for 39% and 18% of the world total respectively.
2017/18 total dried fruit (table dates, dried apricots, sweetened dried cranberries, dried figs, prunes, raisins, sultanas and currants) production has been forecasted to reach 3 million MT; a 20% growth over the prior 10 years average. As in the previous season, dried apricots are expected to register the greatest growth, 35% compared to 2016/17, adding up to 229,500 MT, with Turkey as the leading producer (63%). Sweetened dried cranberries are also foreseen to increase 10% amounting 200,300 MT, from which 79% will be produced by the USA.
Overall, nut and dried fruit production is foreseen to keep growing by the means of new planting areas worldwide: California and Spain almond bearing acres keep increasing, and Australia expects to have 15,000 additional hectares planted by 2018, according to the Almond Board of Australia. Hazelnut growing area is enlarging in Italy, Georgia and the USA; in the US by around 12,000 ha in 2017. Macadamia orchards are being regenerated in Australia and there are substantial new plantings in new areas. Plantations in South Africa expanded by about 3,500 additional ha in 2016 and China is also planning to reach over 333,000 ha by 2020. Pistachio acreage continues to grow 5-7% a year in California and in Turkey as well. Walnut bearing acreage has increased by 30% in the past 11 years and 10,000 new hectares of walnut are expected to be planted in the next 5 years in Chile. US peanut is estimated to raise in about 24,000 ha in 2017.
Consumption is also being bolstered through innovation in usage of nuts and dried fruits as ingredients, snacks or new developments such as sauces, beverages, oils and spreads.
Inclusion of Almonds in a Cholesterol-Lowering Diet Improves Plasma HDL Subspecies and Cholesterol Efflux to Serum in Normal-Weight Individuals with Elevated LDL Cholesterol
Background: Almonds may increase circulating HDL cholesterol when substituted for a high-carbohydrate snack in an isocaloric diet, yet little is known about the effects on HDL biology and function. Objective: The objective was to determine whether incorporating 43 g almonds/d in a cholesterol-lowering diet would improve HDL subspecies and function, which were secondary study outcomes. Methods: In a randomized, 2-period, crossover, controlled-feeding study, a diet with 43 g almonds/d (percentage of total energy: 51% carbohydrate, 16% protein, and 32% total and 8% saturated fat) was compared with a similar diet with an isocaloric muffin substitution (58% carbohydrate, 15% protein, and 26% total and 8% saturated fat) in men and women with elevated LDL cholesterol. Plasma HDL subspecies and cholesterol efflux from J774 macrophages to human serum were measured at baseline and after each diet period. Diet effects were examined in all participants (n = 48) and in normal-weight (body mass index: <25; n = 14) and overweight or obese (≥25; n = 34) participants by using linear mixed models. Results: The almond diet, compared with the control diet, increased α-1 HDL [mean ± SEM: 26.7 ± 1.5 compared with 24.3 ± 1.3 mg apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I)/dL; P = 0.001]. In normal-weight participants, the almond diet, relative to the control diet, increased α-1 HDL (33.7 ± 3.2 compared with 28.4 ± 2.6 mg apoA-I/dL), the α-1 to pre–β-1 ratio [geometric mean (95% CI): 4.3 (3.3, 5.7) compared with 3.1 (2.4, 4.0)], and non–ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 cholesterol efflux (8.3% ± 0.4% compared with 7.8% ± 0.3%) and decreased pre–β-2 (3.8 ± 0.4 compared with 4.6 ± 0.4 mg apoA-I/dL) and α-3 (23.5 ± 0.9 compared with 26.9 ± 1.1 mg apoA-I/dL) HDL (P < 0.05). No diet effects were observed in the overweight or obese group. Conclusions: Substituting almonds for a carbohydrate-rich snack within a lower-saturated-fat diet may be a simple strategy to maintain a favorable circulating HDL subpopulation distribution and improve cholesterol efflux in normal-weight individuals with elevated LDL cholesterol.
Gulfood 2018
The INC Nuts and Dried Fruits Pavilion will participate in the event. Click HERE for more information.
EU: Changes on Border Controls
According to the European Federation of the Trade in Dried Fruit & Edible Nuts, Processed Fruit & Vegetables, Processed Fishery Products, Spices and Honey (FRUCOM), at the beginning of July the list of products subject to increased official physical controls at EU borders (Regulation 669/2009) will be modified.
Regarding nuts and dried fruits, the following changes were proposed by the Commission at the Standing Committee on June 8, 2017:
New:
- Dried vine fruit from Iran: 5% consignments proposed to be controlled for Ochratoxin A.
- Dried vine fruit from Turkey: 5% consignments proposed to be controlled for Ochratoxin A.
- Peanuts (groundnuts) and derived products from Senegal: 50% consignments to be controlled for aflatoxins.
Change in sampling frequency:
- Apricots from Turkey: consignments to be controlled for sulphites will be increased from 10% to 20%.
For further information, please contact us at inc@nutfruit.org.
EU: MRLs Update, Draft Commission Regulations
The European Commission notified the World Trade Organization of the Annexes to Draft Commission Regulation amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for 2-phenylphenol, bensulfuron-methyl, dimethachlor and lufenuron in or on certain products.
As for nuts and dried fruits, the draft sets the following MRLs:
- The MRL for 2-phenylphenol is set at 0.01* ppm in tree nuts, apricots, plums, grapes, cranberries, dates, figs and peanuts.
- The MRL for bensulfuron-methyl is set at 0.01* ppm in tree nuts, apricots, plums, grapes, cranberries, dates, figs and peanuts.
- The MRL for dimethachlor is set at 0.01* ppm in tree nuts, apricots, plums, grapes, cranberries, dates, figs and peanuts.
- The MRL for lufenuron is set at 0.01* ppm in tree nuts, plums, grapes, cranberries, dates, figs, and peanuts, and at 0.2 ppm in apricots.
*Indicates lower limit of determination.
The final date for comments is August 14, 2017. The proposed date of publication is January 2018.
For further information, please contact us at inc@nutfruit.org.
EU: MRLs Update
The Regulation 2017/693 of 7 April 2017 sets the MRL for tricyclazole in tree nuts, apricots, plums, grapes, cranberries, dates, figs and peanuts at 0.01* ppm.
The regulation will enter into force on June 30, 2017.
Commission Regulation 2017/693 of 7 April 2017
The Regulation 2017/978 of 9 June 2017 sets the following MRLs for nuts and dried fruits:
- Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), alpha-isomer (F): 0.01* ppm in tree nuts, apricots, plums, grapes, cranberries, dates, figs and peanuts
- Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), beta-isomer (F): 0.01* ppm in tree nuts, apricots, plums, grapes, cranberries, dates, figs and peanuts.
This regulation will enter into force on January 4, 2018.
Commission Regulation 2017/978 of 9 June 2017
* Indicates lower limit of determination.
EFSA: Report on Pesticide Residues in Food
EFSA concluded that the proposed use of prohexadione on plums will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference value and therefore is unlikely to pose a risk to consumers’ health.
EFSA proposes to increment the MRL from 0.01* ppm to 0.05 ppm (* Indicates that the MRL is set at the limit of analytical quantification, LOQ).
Modification of the existing maximum residue level for prohexadione (considered variant prohexadione-calcium) in plums. EFSA Journal 2017;15(6):4648, 22 pp.