Does a MediDiet with additional extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and pistachios reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes?
Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) incidence in pregnant women following the Mediterranean diet with additional extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and pistachios. Methods: 560 pregnant patients were enrolled in the present study. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) was introduced in both the interventional group (IG) and control group (CG). The females received 40 ml of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) every day along with 25 - 30 gm of roasted pistachios in the interventional group. The incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) was recorded along with specific maternal and neonatal outcomes. Materials and methods: The nutritional and MEDAS scores were not statistically different among the groups at baseline, but the difference was statistically significant and higher in IG at 24-28 weeks (p = 0.001) and 36-38 weeks (p = 0.001). GDM was diagnosed in 51(20.4%) females in the Control group and 34 (13.6%) females in the Interventional group. The MedDiet significantly reduced the GDM incidence (p=0.02) after adjusting the confounding factors. Conclusion: The present study depicts that dietary intervention in pregnant women, including MedDiet and increased consumption of EVOO and pistachios, decreased the incidence of GDM. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eprac.2021.08.010
Effects of a Brazilian cardioprotective diet and nuts on cardiometabolic parameters after myocardial infarction: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Background: Nut consumption has been related to improvements on cardiometabolic parameters and reduction in the severity of atherosclerosis mainly in primary cardiovascular prevention. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the effects of the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet (DIeta CArdioprotetora Brasileira, DICA Br) based on consumption of inexpensive locally accessible foods supplemented or not with mixed nuts on cardiometabolic features in patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: DICA-NUTS study is a national, multicenter, randomized 16-week follow-up clinical trial. Patients over 40 years old with diagnosis of previous MI in the last 2 to 6 months will be recruited (n = 388). A standardized questionnaire will be applied to data collection and blood samples will be obtained. Patients will be allocated in two groups: Group 1: DICA Br supplemented with 30 g/day of mixed nuts (10 g of peanuts, 10 g of cashew, 10 g of Brazil nuts); and Group 2: only DICA Br. The primary outcome will consist of LDL cholesterol means (in mg/dL) after 16 weeks of intervention. Secondary outcomes will consist of other markers of lipid profile, glycemic profile, and anthropometric data. Discussion: It is expected that DICA Br supplemented with mixed nuts have superior beneficial effects on cardiometabolic parameters in patients after a MI, when compared to DICA Br. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03728127. First register: November 1, 2018; Last update: June 16, 2021. World Health Organization Universal Trial Number (WHO-UTN): U1111-1259-8105. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05494-0
Regional Meetings 2021 Chilenut
Join Chilenut for their return to in-person events. This event will see discussion on marketing activities, product quality, productivity, and more on Chilean walnuts.
Fruits and their impact on the gut microbiota, gut motility and constipation.
Fruits are the seed-bearing product of plants and have considerable nutritional importance in the human diet. The consumption of fruits is among the dietary strategies recommended for constipation due to its potential effects on the gut microbiota and gut motility. Dietary fiber from fruits has been the subject of research on the impact on gut microbiota, gut motility and constipation, however, fruits also contain other components that impact the intestinal luminal environment that may impact these outcomes including sorbitol and (poly)phenols. This review aims to explore the mechanisms of action and effectiveness of fruits and fruit products on the gut microbiota, gut motility and constipation, with a focus on fiber, sorbitol and (poly)phenols. In vitro, animal and human studies investigating the effects of fruits on gut motility and gut microbiota were sought through electronic database searches, hand searching and consulting with experts. Various fruits have been shown to modify the microbiota in human studies including blueberry powder (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria), prunes (bifidobacteria), kiwi fruit (Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) and raisins (Ruminococcus, F. prausnitzii). Prunes, raisins and apple fiber isolate have been shown to increase fecal weight in humans, whilst kiwifruit to increase small bowel and fecal water content. Apple fiber isolate, kiwifruit, fig paste, and orange extract have been shown to reduce gut transit time, while prunes have not. There is limited evidence on which fruit components play a predominant role in regulating gut motility and constipation, or whether a synergy of multiple components is responsible for such effects. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1FO01125A
The association between insulin resistance and the consumption of nut including peanut, pine nut and almonds in working-aged Korean population.
Objective: Studies have reported that nuts intake is potentially beneficial to cardiometabolic health. However, there have been heterogenous results regarding the association between nut intake/consumption and the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM). Insulin resistance (IR) is a major pathophysiology of DM. Thus, this study was to assess the association between nuts consumption and IR. Design: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study. Setting: Multivariable adjusted odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for increased IR (adjusted OR [95% CI]) were calculated according to the frequency of consuming one serving dose (15g) of nuts including peanut, pine nut and almond (<1/month, 1/month-1/week, 1-3/week, 3-5/week, ≥ 5/week). Elevated IR was defined in HOMA-IR corresponding to the fourth quartile levels within each study group. Subgroup analysis was conducted for gender, glycemic status (normal, prediabetes and DM) and age (≥ and < 40 years). Participants: 379,310 Koreans who received health check-up. Results: Compared with nut consumption <1/month (reference), nuts consumption ≥ 1/month had the lower OR and 95% CI for elevated IR (1/month-1/week: 0.90 [0.89 - 0.92], 1-3/week: 0.90 [0.87 - 0.92], 3-5/week: 0.94 [0.89 - 0.98] and ≥ 5/week: 0.90 [0.86 - 0.94]). This association was more remarkable in women, normal glycemic group and young age group (< 40 years). However, men, prediabetes, DM and old age group didn't show the significant association. Conclusion: Nuts consumption ≥ 1/month was less associated with elevated IR. Increased nuts consumption may have a favorable effect on IR. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980021003803
The role of a Mediterranean diet and physical activity in decreasing age-related inflammation through modulation of the gut microbiota composition.
Chronic inflammation is known to be a predominant factor in the development of many age-related conditions including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that during the ageing process there is an increase in inflammatory biomarkers, which may be partially brought about by detrimental changes to the gut microbiota. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and physical activity are protective against inflammation and chronic disease, and emerging evidence has shown that these effects may be partially mediated through favourable changes to the gut microbiota. In this review we have evaluated the published literature on the effect of a MedDiet and physical activity on the gut microbiota. We also discuss the relationship between the gut microbiota and inflammation with a focus on healthy ageing. While inconsistent study designs make forming definitive conclusions challenging, the current evidence suggests that both a MedDiet and physical activity are capable of modifying the gut microbiota in a way that is beneficial to host health. For example, the increases in the relative abundance of short chain fatty acid producing bacteria that are considered to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Modification of the gut microbiota through a MedDiet and physical activity presents as a potential method to attenuate age-related increases in inflammation, additional studies utilising older individuals are needed to fill the knowledge gaps existing in current literature. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114521003251
Pro-vegetarian food patterns and cardiometabolic risk in the PREDIMED-Plus study: a cross-sectional baseline analysis.
Purpose. We explored the cross-sectional association between the adherence to three different provegetarian (PVG) food patterns defined as general (gPVG), healthful (hPVG) and unhealthful (uPVG), and the cardiometabolic risk in adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) of the PREDIMED-Plus randomized intervention study. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 6439 participants of the PREDIMED-Plus randomized intervention study. The gPVG food pattern was built by positively scoring plant foods (vegetables/fruits/legumes/grains/potatoes/nuts/olive oil) and negatively scoring, animal foods (meat and meat products/animal fats/eggs/fish and seafood/dairy products). The hPVG and uPVG were generated from the gPVG by adding four new food groups (tea and coffee/fruit juices/sugar-sweetened beverages/sweets and desserts), splitting grains and potatoes and scoring them differently. Multivariable-adjusted robust linear regression using MM-type estimator was used to assess the association between PVG food patterns and the standardized Metabolic Syndrome score (MetS z-score), a composed index that has been previously used to ascertain the cardiometabolic risk, adjusting for potential confounders. Results. A higher adherence to the gPVG and hPVG was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk in multivariable models. The regression coefficients for 5th vs. 1st quintile were − 0.16 (95% CI: − 0.33 to 0.01) for gPVG (p trend: 0.015), and − 0.23 (95% CI: − 0.41 to − 0.05) for hPVG (p trend: 0.016). In contrast, a higher adherence to the uPVG was associated with higher cardiometabolic risk, 0.21 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.38) (p trend: 0.019). Conclusion.
Higher adherence to gPVG and hPVG food patterns was generally associated with lower cardiovascular risk, whereas higher adherence to uPVG was associated to higher cardiovascular risk. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02647-4
Intake of Nuts and Seeds Is Associated with a Lower Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in US Adults: Findings from 2005–2018 NHANES.
Background. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease globally. Nuts and seeds, due to their unique nutrient composition, may provide health benefits for the prevention of NAFLD. To date, no research has investigated the association between nut and seed intake and NAFLD prevalence in a non-Mediterranean Western population. Objectives. This study aimed to explore the association between nut and seed intake with NAFLD and metabolic biomarkers in a US representative sample. Methods. This cross-sectional study used data from 25,360 adults involved in the 2005–2018 NHANES, including adults (aged ≥18 y) with negative serology for hepatitis B and C and nonexcessive alcohol consumption. NAFLD was assessed using the fatty liver index (FLI); metabolic biomarkers were also assessed; nut and seed intake was evaluated from two 24-h dietary recalls. ANOVA and Poisson regression were used to establish the relation between nut and seed intake categories and NAFLD prevalence. Results. Nut and seed consumption was associated with a reduced prevalence of NAFLD. In females, in the fully adjusted model, this was significant across all nut and seed consumption categories but was most prominent in the moderate consumption group (7%, 15%, and 14% risk reduction in low, moderate, and adequate consumption categories, respectively, compared with nonconsumers). In males, moderate intake of nuts and seeds demonstrated a significantly lower prevalence of NAFLD (9%) compared with nonconsumers. Conclusions. Daily consumption for nuts and seeds was associated with a lower prevalence of NAFLD in non-Mediterranean, US adults, although the benefits seem to be greater in females across all categories of nut and seed consumption groups compared with nonconsumers. Both males and females presented with lower prevalence of NAFLD with intakes of 15–30 g/d. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab253
Are fatty nuts a weighty concern? A systematic review and meta‐analysis and dose–response meta‐regression of prospective cohorts and randomized controlled trials.
Nuts are recommended for cardiovascular health, yet concerns remain that nuts may contribute to weight gain due to their high energy density. A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohorts and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to update the evidence, provide a dose–response analysis, and assess differences in nut type, comparator and more in subgroup analyses. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched, along with manual searches. Data from eligible studies were pooled using meta-analysis methods. Interstudy heterogeneity was assessed (Cochran Q statistic) and quantified (I2 statistic). Certainty of the evidence was assessed by Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Six prospective cohort studies (7 unique cohorts, n = 569,910) and 86 RCTs (114 comparisons, n = 5873) met eligibility criteria. Nuts were associated with lower incidence of overweight/obesity (RR 0.93 [95% CI 0.88 to 0.98] P < 0.001, “moderate” certainty of evidence) in prospective cohorts. RCTs presented no adverse effect of nuts on body weight (MD 0.09 kg, [95% CI −0.09 to 0.27 kg] P < 0.001, “high” certainty of evidence). Meta-regression showed that higher nut intake was associated with reductions in body weight and body fat. Current evidence demonstrates the concern that nut consumption contributes to increased adiposity appears unwarranted. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13330
2020 EU Global Agri-food Trade Report
Despite a general downward trend for international trade in Europe in 2020, mostly caused by the pandemic, the EU international trade in agri-food reported slight growth compared to 2019. The value of EU agri-food exports saw a 1.4% increase and the value for imports rose 0.5%.
Regarding the nut and dried fruit industry, the category of Tropical fruit, fresh or dried, nuts and spices, continued to have the largest share of EU agri-food imports as it was in 2019, representing 11% of all agri-food imports into the EU. The category Fruit, fresh or dried, excluding citrus & tropical fruits, represented 5% of all agri-food imports, making it tied for the second-largest group of imports.
When discussing trade with some of the EU’s most prominent trade partners, the report shows that Tropical fruit fresh or dried, nuts and spices dominate the EU’s agri-food imports from the US with a 26% share. The value of tropical fruits and nuts imports also increased by €56 million, in part to increased volumes. Tropical fruits, fresh or dried, nuts, and spices also remain tied for the largest product category of EU imports from China, at a 9% share.