Time and Intervention Effects of Daily Almond Intake on the Changes of Lipid Profile and Body Composition Among Free-Living Healthy Adults.
Favorable health benefits of almond have been shown in several previous studies. However, repeated measures, randomized, controlled trials to investigate the changes due to almond intake based on the time effects have not yet been reported. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of daily almond intake on changes in body composition and lipid profiles for 20 weeks with four measurements among healthy adults. Participants in the almond group showed favorable changes on blood lipid profiles, including levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL-C) after consuming 56 g of almond per day for 20 weeks compared with those at baseline. At week 20, subjects in the almond group showed significantly decreased TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, TG, body fat mass, and waist-hip ratio compared with those of the control group who consumed isocaloric control food. The mixed model also confirmed that there were significant time effects in several bioimpedance indicators (i.e., total body protein, fat-free mass, etc.) and all of the lipid profile parameters in the almond group. These results confirm the effects of lipid-lowering and modifying body composition of almond consumption. In addition, our results suggest that the measuring time points would be critical to capture the effects of dietary intervention.
Almond Consumption and Processing Affects the Composition of the Gastrointestinal Microbiota of Healthy Adult Men and Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
BACKGROUND: Almond processing has been shown to differentially impact metabolizable energy; however, the effect of food form on the gastrointestinal microbiota is under-investigated. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the interrelationship of almond consumption and processing on the gastrointestinal microbiota. DESIGN: A controlled-feeding, randomized, five-period, crossover study with washouts between diet periods was conducted in healthy adults (n = 18). Treatments included: (1) zero servings/day of almonds (control); (2) 1.5 servings (42 g)/day of whole almonds; (3) 1.5 servings/day of whole, roasted almonds; (4) 1.5 servings/day of roasted, chopped almonds; and (5) 1.5 servings/day of almond butter. Fecal samples were collected at the end of each three-week diet period. RESULTS: Almond consumption increased the relative abundances of Lachnospira, Roseburia, and Dialister (p ≤ 0.05). Comparisons between control and the four almond treatments revealed that chopped almonds increased Lachnospira, Roseburia, and Oscillospira compared to control (p < 0.05), while whole almonds increased Dialister compared to control (p = 0.007). There were no differences between almond butter and control. CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal that almond consumption induced changes in the microbial community composition of the human gastrointestinal microbiota. Furthermore, the degree of almond processing (e.g., roasting, chopping, and grinding into butter) differentially impacted the relative abundances of bacterial genera.
Beneficial effects of consumption of acerola, cashew or guava processing by-products on intestinal health and lipid metabolism in dyslipidaemic female Wistar rats.
This study assessed the effects of diet supplementation with industrial processing by-products of acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.), cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) and guava (Psidium guajava L.) fruit on the intestinal health and lipid metabolism of female Wistar rats with diet-induced dyslipidaemia. Female rats were randomly divided into five groups: healthy control, dyslipidaemic control and dyslipidaemic experimental receiving acerola, cashew or guava processing by-products. Fruit processing by-products were administered (400 mg/kg body weight) via orogastric administration for 28 consecutive days. Acerola, cashew and guava by-products caused body weight reduction (3·42, 3·08 and 5·20 %, respectively) in dyslipidaemic female rats. Dyslipidaemic female rats receiving fruit by-products, especially from acerola, presented decreased faecal pH, visceral fat, liver fat and serum lipid levels, as well as increased faecal moisture, faecal fat excretion, faecal Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. counts and amounts of organic acids in faeces. Administration of the tested fruit processing by-products protected colon and liver from tissue damage (e.g. destruction of liver and colon cells and increased fat deposition in hepatocytes) induced by dyslipidaemic diet. Dietary fibres and phenolic compounds in tested fruit by-products may be associated with these positive effects. The industrial fruit processing by-products studied, mainly from acerola, exert functional properties that could enable their use to protect the harmful effects on intestinal health and lipid metabolism caused by dyslipidaemic diet.
4th World Cashew Convention & Exhibition
The INC was represented by Mr. Pratap Nair, INC Board member and Ambassador for India, who participated in the Opening Ceremony with a keynote presentation about the work of the INC and the Global Cashew Council (GCC), and an overview of the nut industry. He also highlighted two recent clinical trials that have examined the effect of cashew consumption on cardiovascular disease risk. One led by Dr. David J. Baer at the United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville Human Nutrition Center; the other by Dr. V. Mohan from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in India, these two new studies are expected to make a landmark contribution to understanding the health benefits of cashews.
The INC also featured a booth in the exhibition area where dozens of visitors learnt about the INC and the upcoming World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress in Sevilla, Spain, on May 21-23.
Australia: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
All containerized goods from Italy require treatment, either applied offshore or on arrival, as of January 17, 2018. Treatments for BMSB are: sulfuryl fluoride (48g/m3 for 6 h or 16g/m3 for 12 h at 10 ºC or higher), methyl bromide (16g/m3 for 12 h at 15 ºC or higher) and heat (50 ºC for 20 min).
More information
WCO: Classification of Blanched Peanuts
As in the EU, CN codes starting with 12.02 benefit from import duty exemptions, blanched peanut imports will continue being categorized as raw peanuts (duty free).
Background: During the 58th Session of the WCO’s Harmonized System Committee, held from September 28 to October 7, 2016, the HSC voted in favor of reclassifying blanched groundnuts in heading 20.08 (processed) instead of 12.02 (raw). If this classification had gone ahead, a significant tonnage of blanched peanut imports currently categorized as raw peanuts (duty free) would have been subject to import duties in the EU.
In December 2016, the INC sent a letter to the European Commission, asking DG TAXUD to reconsider the classification of blanched groundnuts as processed, in order to avoid severe market disruptions and costly consequences to millions of European consumers.
Brazil: MRLs Update
- The MRL of acetamiprid for cashew culture is set at 1.0 ppm and safety security period of 3 days.
- The MRL of etofenprox for cashew culture is set at 0.1 ppm and safety security period of 3 days.
- The MRL of haloxyfop-p for grape culture is set at 0.1 ppm and safety security period of 97 days.
The final date for comments was January 3, 2018.
A29 - Acetamiprid
E19 - Etofenprox
H07 - Haloxyfop-p
4th World Cashew Convention & Exhibition
The INC was represented by Mr. Pratap Nair, INC Board member and Ambassador for India, who participated in the Opening Ceremony with a keynote presentation about the work of the INC and the Global Cashew Council (GCC), and an overview of the nut industry. He also highlighted two recent clinical trials that have examined the effect of cashew consumption on cardiovascular disease risk. One led by Dr. David J. Baer at the United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville Human Nutrition Center; the other by Dr. V. Mohan from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in India, these two new studies are expected to make a landmark contribution to understanding the health benefits of cashews.
The INC also featured a booth in the exhibition area where dozens of visitors learnt about the INC and the upcoming World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress in Sevilla, Spain, on May 21-23.
Canada: MRLs Update
The proposed maximum residue limits (PMRL) for spirotetramat in stone fruit (crop group 12-09) is set at 4.5 ppm and in tree nuts (crop group 14-11) is set at 0.25 ppm.
Health Canada Database
Meeting of the FRUCOM’s Dried Fruit and Nuts Working Group
The meeting was attended by representatives of different organizations and companies in the nut and dried fruit sector from several countries, namely Belgium, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, UK and USA.
Representatives of the European Commission DG SANTE gave an update on various contaminants (Ochratoxin A, mineral oils, perchlorate, furan and alternaria toxins) and informed about the latest changes to the control frequency at EU borders, as well as the re-evaluation of the safety of permitted food additives which includes sorbates and sulphites. A representative of the European Commission DG AGRI explained the present status of the negotiations on the Brexit and the future steps. In addition, FRUCOM presented the latest updates and work on pesticides and trade and customs matters.