Nut Consumption for Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review.
Diet is considered an important modifiable lifestyle factor capable of attenuating early cognitive changes in healthy older people. The inclusion of nuts in the diet has been investigated as a dietary strategy for maintenance of brain health across the lifespan. This review aimed to present up-to-date evidence regarding the association between nut intake and cognitive performance. Four databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus, and Embase) were systematically searched from inception to April 2020. Eligible articles were interventional or observational studies in humans aged ≥18 y that measured the effects (or association) of nuts (almond, hazelnut, macadamia, pistachio, walnut, pecan, pine nut, Brazil nut, cashew, peanut) on cognitive outcomes. Out of the 2374 articles identified in the searches, 22 involving 43,793 participants met the criteria and were ultimately included in this review. Memory (immediate and delayed), attention, processing speed, executive function, and visual-spatial ability, as well as risk of mild cognitive impairment, were the outcomes investigated. Lack of consistency across the studies regarding study design, types of nut used, and cognitive outcomes measured resulted in inconsistent evidence that the regular consumption of mixed nuts has a protective effect on cognition in adults of different ages. Nonetheless, we observed that studies targeting populations with a higher risk of cognitive decline tended to find a more favorable outcome. Furthermore, homogeneous findings were observed in the studies that specifically addressed the association between walnut consumption and cognitive performance: out of the 6 studies, including 2 randomized controlled trials, only 1 did not find a positive association.
Adjusting for protein quality by food source may affect nutrient density metrics.
Methods to assess nutrient density of foods, commonly known as nutrient profiling (NP), typically include protein as a component. In this study, the goal was to apply a correction for protein quality by food source to selected NP algorithms. Analyses of 378 component foods of the Fred Hutch food frequency questionnaire showed that animal-source foods (ie, meat, eggs, and dairy) along with some soy products and nuts were the only foods that provided > 20% of the daily value (DV) of protein per 100 g or per 100 kcal. Most beans, pulses, legumes, grains, and vegetables provided <10% DV of protein per 100 g or per 100 kcal. Adjusting for protein quality using a simplified Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) had consequences for point-based NP models (namely, Nutri-Score) and for continuous nutrient density scores (namely, Nutrient Rich Foods). Quantitative methods that use protein content to capture nutrient density may require a protein-quality adjustment, especially when adapted for use in low- and middle-income countries where protein quality is an issue of public health concern.
Effects of Dry Figs on Primary Dysmenorrhea Symptoms, perceived Stress Levels and the Quality of Life.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of eating dried figs on the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea, perceived stress levels, and quality of life during all menstrual cycles. Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed with 115 midwifery students. Each student was randomly assigned to the placebo (n = 31), cinnamon (n = 33), or dried fig (n = 34) groups. Data were gathered through the Total Dysmenorrhea Score, a descriptive information form, the Visual Analogue Scale, a pain duration assessment form, the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-TR. Results: During the 3 menstrual cycles in which the intervention was implemented, the dried-fig group had significantly lower scores for pain severity and duration, menstrual distress, and perceived stress than did those of the cinnamon and placebo groups. In addition, during these 3 cycles, the dried-fig group had significantly higher quality-of-life scores than the cinnamon and placebo groups. Conclusion: The results showed that eating dried figs during menstruation decreased pain severity and duration, menstrual symptoms, and perceived stress and increased quality of life.
Anticancer activities of selected Emirati Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties pits in human triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.
The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an important fruit crop with significant pharmaceutical potential. Little data are available on comparative pharmaceutical importance of the date pits. We designed this study to assess the antitumorigenic effects of date palm pits extracts from different Emiratis varieties. We used MDA-MB-231 cells derived from triple negative breasts cancer tissues as a model. We found that out of the 17 date pits extracts from 6 Emiratis varieties, three (Khalas extract in water + acetone (1:1), Abu-Maan extract in MeOH + Chloroform (1:1) and Mabroom extract in water + acetone (1:1)) were found effectively cytotoxic and changed morphology of cells in dose and time dependent manner. We found the maximum effect at 2.5 mg/mL concentration at 72 h. We calculated IC50 values for these varieties at 24 h. IC50 values for Khalas, Abu-Maan and Mabroom were 0.982 mg/mL, 1.149 mg/mL and 2.213 mg/mL respectively. We treated the cells with IC50 values of extracts and observed changes in protein profile using human kinase array kit. After analyzing the results, we suggest that EGFR/ERK/FAK pathway, eNOS and src family proteins are targets of these extracts. We conclude that date pits extracts can be a possible therapeutic agent against cancer and we suggest further studies.
Barriers and Facilitators to Nut Consumption: A Narrative Review.
Habitual nut intake is associated with a range of health benefits; however, population consumption data suggests that most individuals do not meet current recommendations for nut intake. The literature has highlighted a range of barriers and facilitators to nut consumption, which should be considered when designing strategies to promote nut intake. Common barriers include confusion regarding the effects of nut consumption on body weight, perceptions that nuts are high in fat, or too expensive, and challenges due to dentition issues or nut allergies. Conversely, demographic characteristics such as higher education and income level, and a healthier lifestyle overall, are associated with higher nut intakes. Health professionals appear to play an important role in promoting nut intake; however, research suggests that knowledge of the benefits of nut consumption could be improved in many health professions. Future strategies to increase nut intake to meet public health recommendations must clarify misconceptions of the specific benefits of nut consumption, specifically targeting sectors of the population known to have lower nut consumption, and educate health professionals to promote nut intake. In addition, given the relatively small body of evidence exploring barriers and facilitators to nut consumption, further research exploring these factors is justified.
Intake of Various Food Groups and Risk of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies.
Despite increasing evidence for the association of food-based dietary patterns with breast cancer risk, knowledge about the shape of the relationship and the quality of meta-evidence are insufficient. We aimed to summarize the associations between food groups and risks of breast cancer. We performed a systematic literature search of the PubMed and Embase databases up to March 2020. We included cohort, case-cohort, nested case-control studies, and follow-up studies of randomized controlled trials that investigated the relationship between breast cancer risk and at least 1 of the following food groups: red meat, processed meat, fish, poultry, egg, vegetables, fruit, dairy product (overall, milk, yogurt, and cheese), grains/cereals, nuts, legumes, soy, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Summary risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs were estimated using a random-effects model for linear and nonlinear relationships. Inverse linear associations were observed for vegetables (RR per 100 g/d, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95–0.99), fruit (RR per 100 g/d, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95–0.99), cheese (RR per 30 g/d, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91–1.00), and soy (RR per 30 g/d, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94–0.99), while positive associations were observed for red (RR per 100 g/d, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03–1.18) and processed meat (RR per 50 g/d, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04–1.33). None of the other food groups were significantly associated with breast cancer risk. A nonlinear association was observed only for milk, such that the intake of >450 g/d increased the risk, while no association was observed for lower intake amounts. High intakes of vegetables, fruit, cheese, and soy products and low intakes of red and processed meat were associated with lower risks of breast cancer. However, causality cannot be inferred from these statistical correlations.
Association of Total Nut, Tree Nut, Peanut, and Peanut Butter Consumption with Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.
Data on the association of nut intake with risk of cancer and its mortality are conflicting. Although previous meta-analyses summarized available findings in this regard, some limitations may distort their findings. Moreover, none of these meta-analyses examined the dose-response associations of total nut intake with the risk of specific cancers as well as associations between specific types of nuts and cancer mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize available findings on the associations of total nut (tree nuts and peanuts), tree nut (walnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, pecans, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts), peanut (whole peanuts without considering peanut butter), and peanut butter consumption with risk of cancer and its mortality by considering the above-mentioned points. We searched the online databases until March 2020 to identify eligible articles. In total, 43 articles on cancer risk and 9 articles on cancer mortality were included in the current systematic review and meta-analysis. The summary effect size (ES) for risk of cancer, comparing the highest with lowest intakes of total nuts, was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.92, P < 0.001, I2 = 58.1%; P < 0.01), indicating a significant inverse association. Such a significant inverse association was also seen for tree nut intake (pooled ES: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78–0.96, P < 0.01, I2 = 15.8%; P = 0.28). Based on the dose-response analysis, a 5-g/d increase in total nut intake was associated with 3%, 6%, and 25% lower risks of overall, pancreatic, and colon cancers, respectively. In terms of cancer mortality, we found 13%, 18%, and 8% risk reductions with higher intakes of total nuts, tree nuts, and peanuts, respectively. In addition, a 5-g/d increase in total nut intake was associated with a 4% lower risk of cancer mortality. In conclusion, our findings support the protective association between total nut and tree nut intake and the risk of cancer and its mortality.
Walnut Consumption, Plasma Metabolomics, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.
Background. Walnut consumption is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it is unknown whether plasma metabolites related to walnut consumption are also associated with lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Objectives. The study aimed to identify plasma metabolites associated with walnut consumption and evaluate the prospective associations between the identified profile and risk of T2D and CVD. Methods. The discovery population included 1833 participants at high cardiovascular risk from the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) study with available metabolomics data at baseline. The study population included 57% women (baseline mean BMI (in kg/m2): 29.9; mean age: 67 y). A total of 1522 participants also had available metabolomics data at year 1 and were used as the internal validation population. Plasma metabolomics analyses were performed using LC-MS. Cross-sectional associations between 385 known metabolites and walnut consumption were assessed using elastic net continuous regression analysis. A 10-cross-validation (CV) procedure was used, and Pearson correlation coefficients were assessed between metabolite weighted models and self-reported walnut consumption in each pair of training–validation data sets within the discovery population. We further estimated the prospective associations between the identified metabolite profile and incident T2D and CVD using multivariable Cox regression models. Results. A total of 19 metabolites were significantly associated with walnut consumption, including lipids, purines, acylcarnitines, and amino acids. Ten-CV Pearson correlation coefficients between self-reported walnut consumption and the plasma metabolite profile were 0.16 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.20) in the discovery population and 0.15 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.20) in the validation population. The metabolite profile was inversely associated with T2D incidence (HR per 1 SD: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.97; P = 0.02). For CVD incidence, the HR per 1-SD was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.60, 0.85; P < 0.001). Conclusions. A metabolite profile including 19 metabolites was associated with walnut consumption and with a lower risk of incident T2D and CVD in a Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk.
Taiwan, the Kingdom of Fruits and Dried Fruits
Known by many as the ‘Kingdom of Fruit’, it excels at growing a diverse array of delicious fruit. Such fruit is available year-round thanks to Taiwan’s suitable climate, geographical location, skillful farmers, and creative use of agricultural technology.
Taiwan and its surrounding islands are blessed with gifts from nature; they are situated in East Asia at the northwestern edge of the Pacific, between tropical and subtropical climate zones. This allows them to withstand formidable summer typhoons and dry winters and enjoy yearlong agricultural production. Taiwan has a range of terrains, marine ecologies, forests, mountains reaching up to 3,952 m, and diverse ethnic cultures, each with their own charming traditions and practices.
Because of these natural and human conditions, remarkable diversities of fruits can be grown here at different levels of humidity and temperature. Taiwan is also highly praised for its dedicated farmers and ingenious ways of engineering agricultural technology to maintain a high standard of fruit quality and flavor. Every month, more than one kind of fruit is in season. A partial list of fruits seldom seen outside of Taiwan is as follows:
- Litchi is unique in its red, bumpy skin and opaque white interior. It is naturally sweet and juicy with floral notes, contributing to its pleasant aroma. Litchi has a delicate flavor with high nutritional value, and it is a perfect summer treat.
- Green mango is the most unique species among many mango varieties. Smaller and sweeter than red mango, green mango possesses a soft texture and a slightly tart juice, making it the perfect summer fruit.
- Wax apple has a dense, bell-shaped body and a bright, thin skin. It is juicy, crunchy, delicious, and fragrant. ‘Black pearls’ are the most sought-after type of wax apple.
- Custard apple, also known as a ‘Buddha’s head’, has a fragrant, sweet taste, a soft texture, and a creamy, seed-filled interior.
- Longan, also known as ‘dragon eyes’, has a brown shell and juicy, white-fleshed interior. Longan has a mildly sweet, musky flavor and is commonly sold fresh, dried, or canned in syrup. Dried longan is also used in soups and hot teas.
- Taiwanese papaya has a creamy, buttery texture with a flesh that melts in the mouth when ripe. It has been associated with digestion and improving blood glucose sensitivity.
Though banana, guava, star fruit, and pineapple are obtainable year-round, some fruits are best eaten when in season. Spring to summer is the best time to savor fruit such as loquat, plum, sapodilla, watermelon, and mango. Between summer and autumn, pear, dragon fruit, passion fruit, and lime are all widely found. Autumn to winter is the prime season for citrus, pomelo, tomato, persimmon, strawberry, jujube, and melon. Furthermore, Taiwan’s creative farmers have developed approaches to genetically modified fruit, yielding delectable results. Genetically modified fruits often have extravagant names such as ‘Pearl Guava’, ‘Peach Pineapple’, ‘Apple Banana’, ‘King Kong Wax Apple’, ‘Watermelon Plum’, and ‘Belle of the Night Dragon Fruit’; all of these are innovative fruits with unique flavors and superior quality compared with others.
Taiwan has a diverse selection of quality fruits, and its fruits and dried fruits meet EU standards.
Various fresh fruits are commonly available to Taiwanese people, reducing consumer needs for dried fruit, although dried fruit production techniques are advanced. Recent research indicates that dried fruits are perceived as a snack among Taiwanese people. Local people appreciate these dried fruits as a gastronomic delight; they offer delectable flavors, convenient transport and storage, and ease of sharing while socializing with families and friends. Hence, dried fruits are popular snacks at festivals and parties in Taiwan.
To satisfy increased demand, some dried fruit manufacturers in Taiwan have increased production, but they have done so by forgoing traditional methods and misleading consumers. Although additional ingredients are not required in drying processes, some manufacturers infuse dried fruit with sugar syrup prior to drying.
In Taiwan, dried fruit consumption is a hedonistic pleasure that has become an essential part of everyday life. Taiwanese people offer fruit slices to their houseguests, gift fruit baskets to their clients, exchange assortments of quality fruit with close friends and family, and even make entertaining group activities out of picking seasonal fruit while on vacation or during festivals and celebrations.
Although fresh and dried fruit production may now be targeted to specific consumer markets—either toward those looking for fruit grown and dried in more environmentally friendly and health-conscious manners or those in search of exceptional flavor at a reasonable price—fresh and dried fruit are generally perceived as healthy choices for those craving something sweet and are also valued as humble offerings for gods and cultural symbols.
In line with an emerging geopolitical and global economic shift, Taiwan, the Kingdom of Fruit, is ready to welcome all visitors and share its remarkable culinary gifts.
References
EZGO. Retrieved from: https://ezgo.coa.gov.tw/zh-EN/Front
Quick Facts about Taiwan. Retrieved from: https://www.studyintaiwan.org/discover/quick
Sun, Y., & Laing, C. (2020). Factors determining consumers’ purchase intentions towards dried fruits. International Journal of Fruit Science. doi: 10.1080/15538362.2020.1774477
Russian Pine Nuts Commodity Base & Real Export Potential
Pine nut is one of the brightest representatives of the wealth of Russian nature and, of course, a storehouse of useful elements. According to a study published in 2010 in the journal Food Technology[1], pine nuts contain almost 65% of high-quality oil, easily digestible proteins (which include 19 amino acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, E), and some of the most important macro and microelements. Pine nut kernel contains B vitamins, vitamins E and K, as well as iron, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, copper and especially manganese. 100 grams of pine nuts satisfy one third of the daily protein requirement of the human body.
There are 3 varieties of cedar growing in Russia: Siberian Stone Pine (Pinus Sibirica), Korean Pine (Pinus Koraiensis) and Japanese Stone Pine (Pinus Pumila):
- The area of growth of the Siberian Stone Pine is 29 million hectares in western and eastern Siberia, and central Altai; the potential volume of harvesting is 80,000 tons per year.
- The growing area of the Korean Pine is 3 million hectares in Primorsky Krai and Khabarovsk Krai, Jewish Autonomous Region; the possible harvesting volume is 15,000 tons per year.
- The growing area of Japanese Stone Pine is 33 million hectares in Eastern Siberia and Far East, possible harvesting volume per year is 5,000 tons.
There are four leading countries in the world in terms of pine nuts raw material base: Russia, China, North Korea and Mongolia, and Russia possesses one of the largest pine nuts raw material base.
| Country | Pine Nuts Raw Material Base* |
| (Crop 2020/2021, Metric Tons) | |
| Russia | 42,000 |
| China | 42,000 |
| North Korea | 35,000 |
* Pinus Sibirica & Pinus koraiensis, in-shell basis (metric tons).
The key feature of the current state of the Russian pine nut market is that about 85% of the crop exports to China in-shell. For example, of the 17 thousand tons of pine nuts collected in Russia in 2019, 14 thousand tons or about 82% were exported to China in-shell and 3 thousand tons or about 18% were processed in Russia only.
Noncommercial Partnership «Russian Wild Crop Union» was established in Russia in 2007. The main goals of the Union are:
- revealing the resource potential of renewable natural resources;
- participation in the regulation of the turnover of wild plants from harvesting to their deep processing;
- regulation of the trade turnover of wild plant products in the domestic and foreign markets;
- participation in lawmaking aimed at the development of sustainable, socially and environmentally responsible forest management
- also, Russian Wild Crop Union is involved in the implementation of organic wild crop collection & production principles into the Russian legislation.
Russian Wild Crop Union is a partner of the World Wide Fund for Nature and is aiming to become a partner of the FairWild Foundation in the near future. Our plans include:
- to implement protection of pine forests from fires destruction & logging;
- to ensure rational use and harvesting of pine nuts by tenants without bureaucratic delays;
- to ensure involvement of all forest management entities into the process of using non-timber forest resources on a legal basis;
- to return part of the value added from the use of pine trees resources of Russia in the environmental and social activities of the taiga regions.
The Russian Wild Crop Union aims to be a reliable partner for companies in Europe. Competitive advantages of the Union's partners are:
- Union’s members have direct access to national raw material base –the largest in the world, with the cheapest raw material prices and the lowest export quote rates;
- financial guarantees & references by Russian federal bodies and government corporations, such as the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, Russian Export Centre, etc.;
- Union’s pine nuts processors are able to cover raw material collection totally and have highly modernized production facilities, capable to process the entire volume of Russian raw material;
- organic feature of Russian origin pine nuts as a basis option, environmental protection, sustainable development & zero-waste processing are our core values.