Nut consumption and metabolic syndrome in US adolescents.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether nut intake is associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in US adolescents. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) years 2003-2012. Anthropometric measurements, blood tests, 24 h diet recalls and demographic data were retrieved for participating adolescents. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to paediatric-modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The exposure was defined as a nut intake ≥5 g/d. SETTING: USA.SUBJECTS: Individuals aged 12-19 years (n 2805). RESULTS: Nut consumption was associated with lower odds for metabolic syndrome (crude OR=0·25; 95 % CI 0·11, 0·55; P≤0·001). This effect was independent of age, sex, race/ethnicity and family income:poverty ratio (adjusted OR=0·27; 95 % CI 0·12, 0·61; P=0·002), and was stable after controlling for nutritional covariates including intake of sugar and total energy consumption (OR=0·36; 95 % CI 0·16, 0·81; P=0·014). CONCLUSION: Nut consumption of ≥5 g/d is independently associated with lower odds for metabolic syndrome in US adolescents.
Beneficial effects of walnut consumption on human health: role of micronutrients.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Nuts in general and walnuts in particular are in the limelight for the association of their consumption with improved health outcomes. Walnuts have an optimal composition in bioactive nutrients and recent clinical and experimental studies have uncovered a number of beneficial effects of walnut micronutrients, working in isolation or in concert, on metabolic pathways and clinical outcomes that make this review timely and relevant. RECENT FINDINGS: Alpha-linolenic acid, a critical walnut component, is metabolized into bioactive oxylipins, has been shown to protect microglial cells from inflammation, and is associated with lower fatal myocardial infarction rates through a putative antiarrhythmic effect. Phytosterols relate to the cholesterol-lowering effect of nut consumption. Nonsodium minerals are associated with better cardiometabolic health. Walnut phytomelatonin has anticancer effects that are shared by the main walnut polyphenols and their metabolites, ellagitannins and urolithins, respectively. SUMMARY: This review highlights new evidence on the health-promoting properties of walnuts and their main micronutrient components. The conclusion is that walnuts are optimal healthful foods.
A comparison of perceptions of nuts between the general public, dietitians, general practitioners, and nurses.
Background: Nut consumption at the population level remains low despite the well-documented benefits of their consumption, including their cardioprotective effects. Studies have suggested that advice from health professionals may be a means to increase nut consumption levels. Understanding how nuts are perceived by the public and health professionals, along with understanding the public's perceptions of motivators of and deterrents to consuming nuts, may inform the development of initiatives to improve on these low levels of consumption. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare perceptions of nuts among three groups of health professionals (dietitians, general practioners, and practice nurses) and the general public in New Zealand (NZ), along with motivators of and deterrents to consuming nuts amongst the general public and their experiences of receiving advice around nut consumption. Methods: The NZ electoral roll was used to identify dietitians, general practitioners (GPs), and practice nurses, based on their free-text occupation descriptions, who were then invited to complete a questionnaire with 318, 292, and 149 respondents respectively. 1,600 members of the general public were randomly selected from the roll with 710 respondents. Analyses were performed using chi-squared tests to look at differences in categorical variables and linear regression for differences in other variables between the four survey groups. Results: Although there were significant differences between the four groups regarding the perceptions of nuts, in general there was agreement that nuts are healthy, high in protein and fat, are filling, and some nuts are high in selenium. We noted frequent agreement that the general public participants would consume more if nuts: improved health (67%), were more affordable (60%), or improved the nutrient content (59%) and balance of fats (58%) within their diets. Over half the respondents reported they would eat more nuts if they were advised to do so by a dietitian or doctor, despite less than 4% reporting they had received such advice. The most frequently selected deterrents to increasing nut consumption were: cost (67%), potential weight gain (66%), and leading to eating too much fat (63%). Discussion: It is concerning that so few among the general public report receiving advice to consume more nuts from health professionals, especially given their apparent responsiveness to such advice. Health professionals could exploit the motivators of nut consumption, while also addressing the deterrents, to promote nut intake. These factors should also be addressed in public health messages to encourage regular nut consumption among the public. Educational initiatives could also be used to improve the nutritional knowledge of GPs and practice nurses with regard to nuts, although even dietitians were unsure of their knowledge in some cases.
Effects of Long-Term Walnut Supplementation on Body Weight in Free-Living Elderly: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Objective: To assess the effects of chronic walnut consumption on body weight and adiposity in elderly individuals. Methods: The Walnuts and Healthy Aging study is a dual-center (Barcelona, Spain and Loma Linda University (LLU)), 2-year randomized parallel trial. This report concerns only the LLU cohort. Healthy elders (mean age 69 year, 67% women) were randomly assigned to walnut (n = 183) or control diets (n = 173). Subjects in the walnut group received packaged walnuts (28⁻56 g/day), equivalent to ≈15% of daily energy requirements, to incorporate into their habitual diet, while those in the control group abstained from walnuts. Adiposity was measured periodically, and data were adjusted for in-trial changes in self-reported physical activity. Results: After 2 years, body weight significantly decreased (p = 0.031), while body fat significantly increased (p = 0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed between the control and walnut groups regarding body weight (-0.6 kg and -0.4 kg, respectively, p = 0.67) or body fat (+0.9% and +1.3%, respectively, p = 0.53). Lean body mass, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio remained essentially unchanged. Sensitivity analyses were consistent with the findings of primary analysis. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that walnuts can be incorporated into the daily diet of healthy elders without concern for adverse effects on body weight or body composition.
Walnut and Almond Enriched Diets May Help Improve Endothelial Function
A recent study, published in the Indian Heart Journal, evaluated two different diets: one supplemented with almonds and the other with walnuts, on endothelial function. A total of 27 participants were included in the study. During the two study days, they consumed either 77 g of almonds or 60 g of walnuts (these amounts were chosen to match the fat content, 76 g of fat in each group).
Results observed that both walnut and almond diets improved flow-mediated dilation and sVCAM (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules), measurements of endothelial function.
USA: Applications for New Uses for Pesticides
The deadline for comments is October 12, 2018.
Federal Register Vol. 83, No. 177. Wednesday, September 12, 2018. Pages 46159-46160
Australia and New Zealand: MRLs Update
* indicates that the maximum residue limit is set at the limit of determination.
The variations entered into force on August 28, 2018.
Variations to Schedule 20 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
USA: MRLs Update
Among others, the tolerance of afidopyropen in or on Fruit, stone, group 12-12 is established at 0.03 ppm and in nut, tree, group 14-12 at 0.01 ppm.
The Regulation is effective since September 13, 2018. Objections and requests must be received on or before November 13, 2018.
Federal Register Vol. 83, No. 178. Thursday, September 13, 2018, 2018. Pages 46394-46401
UNECE Workshop, Agri-Food Supply Chains in Cross-Border Trade of Nuts and Dried Fruits
Mr Pino Calcagni, INC Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Scientific and Government Affairs Committee, participated in two sessions. The first day, he gave a presentation about quality requirements and controls and the importance to meet retail specifications and standards for accessing the leading trade chains and niche markets. The second day, he spoke about markets and latest developments in nut and dried fruit industry.
USA: Market Facilitation Program
The initial payment rate will apply to the first 50% of the producer's total production. On or about December 3, 2018, the Commodity Credit Corporation may announce a second payment rate, if applicable, that will apply to the remaining 50% of the producer's production for the selected commodity. The 2018 production is used to calculate the MFP payment.
The application period is from September 24, 2018, to January 15, 2019.
Federal Register Vol. 83, No. 186. Tuesday, September 25, 2018, 2018. Pages 48410-48411