Association of legumes and nuts consumption with metabolic health status in Iranian overweight and obese adolescents
Limited data are available on the association of legumes and nuts consumption with health status in pediatrics. So, we assessed the relation of legumes and nuts intake with metabolic health status in Iranian adolescents. A random sample of overweight/obese adolescents aged 12 to 18 years was included in this cross-sectional study. Dietary intakes were gathered using a validated 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). We measured metabolic indices including blood pressure, lipid profile, glycemic and anthropometrics indices. Two strategies were used for classification of adolescents to metabolically healthy obese (MHO) or unhealthy obese (MUO): International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and combination of IDF with Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Information on 203 overweight/obese adolescents (50.2% girls and 49.8% boys) with an average age of 13.98 (± 1.61) years and a mean weight of 73.48 (± 11.60) kg/m2 was evaluated. Based on the IDF and IDF/HOMA-IR definition, higher consumption of legumes and nuts consumption was related to a 66% and 61% decreased odds of MUO in crude model (OR = 0.34, 95%CI 0.17–0.69), (OR = 0.39, 95%CI 0.19–0.80); but in fully-adjusted model, these relations disappeared. After adjustment for potential cofounders, an inverse association was found between legumes and nuts consumption and odds of hyperglycemia (OR = 0.35, 95%CI 0.16–0.78). Moreover, although inverse significant associations were found between legumes and nuts consumption and odds of MUO in girls and overweight subjects in crude models, these associations disappeared after adjustment for all confounders. After taking potential confounders into account, no significant association was found between consumption of legumes and nuts and MUO in Iranian adolescents. The findings should be affirmed by further prospective studies. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32961-2
Association between nut consumption and prostate cancer risk in adults: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies
Background and aims: Data on the association between nut consumption and prostate cancer risk are conflicting. Therefore, this systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis aimed to summarize available findings from observational studies on the associations of nut intake with risk of total, advanced, non-advanced, and fatal prostate cancers. Methods and results: We searched the online databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science as well as Google Scholar using appropriate keywords to identify eligible articles up to September 2022. In total, 11 articles with a total sample size of 287,786 participants and 32,213 cases of prostate cancer were included in the current systematic review and meta-analysis. By comparing the highest and lowest intake of total nuts, pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for total, advanced, non-advanced, and fatal prostate cancers were 0.94 (95% CI: 0.85-1.04, P=0.22), 1.10 (95% CI: 0.98-1.24, P=0.12), 0.97 (95% CI: 0.85-1.11, P= 0.69), 0.97 (95% CI: 0.79-1.18, P=0.73), respectively, which indicated non-significant inverse associations for total, non-advanced, and fatal prostate cancers and a non-significant positive association for advanced prostate cancer. In the dose-response analyses, we found no evidence of a linear or non-linear association between total nut intake and prostate cancer risk. Data on other types of nuts including walnut, tree nuts, peanut, and peanut butter were not sufficient for performing a meta-analysis. Conclusion: We found no significant association between nut intake and risk of total, advanced, non-advanced, and fatal prostate cancer. Further studies are required to confirm our findings. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2023.04.004
Comparing the effects of consuming almonds or biscuits on body weight in habitual snackers: A one-year randomized controlled trial
Purpose: Almonds are nutrient-rich, providing a healthier alternative to many snack foods. Studies report health benefits with regular almond consumption without adverse weight gain. However, most interventions have been relatively short or have included additional dietary advice. Taking a pragmatic approach, we compared consumption of almonds versus biscuits on body weight and other health outcomes in a population of regular snackers of discretionary foods, hypothesizing the almonds will displace some of the less healthful snacks in their current diets. Methods: We randomly assigned 136 non-obese habitual discretionary snack consumers to receive almonds or biscuits daily for one-year. These isocaloric snacks provided either 10% of participants’ total energy (TE) requirements or 1030 kJ (equivalent to 42.5 g almonds), whichever was greater. Anthropometry, blood biomarkers, diet, appetite, sleep, and, physical activity, were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months, and body composition and resting metabolic rate at baseline and 12 months. Results: The difference in changes for body weight from baseline to 12 months was not statistically significant (geometric means 67.1 kg and 69.5 kg for almonds and 66.3 kg and 66.3 kg for biscuits, P = 0.275). There were no statistically significant differences in changes for body composition or other non-dietary outcomes (all P ≥ 0.112). Absolute intakes of protein; total, polyunsaturated, and monosaturated fat; fibre; vitamin E; calcium; copper; magnesium; phosphorous; and zinc, and % TE from total monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat statistically significantly increased from baseline (all P ≤ 0.033), while % TE from carbohydrate and sugar statistically significantly (both P ≤ 0.014) decreased from baseline, in the almond compared to the biscuit group. Conclusions: Almonds can be incorporated into the diets of habitual snackers to improve diet quality, without evidence for changes in body weight, compared to a popular discretionary snack food. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.05.015
Tree nut and peanut consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. Habitual consumption of tree nuts and peanuts is associated with cardioprotective benefits. Food-based dietary guidelines globally recommend nuts as a key component within a healthy diet. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between tree nut and peanut consumption and risk factors for CVD in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central databases were searched up to 26 September 2021. All RCTs studies that assessed the effects of tree nut or peanut consumption of any dose on CVD risk factors were included. Review Manager software was used to conduct a random effect meta-analyses for CVD outcomes from RCTs. Forest plots were generated for each outcome, between-study heterogeneity was estimated using the I2 test statistic, and funnel plots and Eggers test for outcomes with ≥10 strata. Quality assessment used the Health Canada Quality Appraisal tool, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. A total of 153 articles describing 139 studies (81 parallel design and 58 cross-over design) were included in the systematic review, with 129 studies in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed a significant decrease for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), TC:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-C:HDL-C, and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) following nut consumption. The quality of evidence was ‘low’ for only 18 intervention studies. The certainty of the body of evidence for TC:HDL-C, LDL-C:HDL-C, and ApoB were ‘moderate’ due to inconsistency, for TG were ‘low’, and LDL-C and TC were ‘very low’ due to inconsistency and the likelihood of publication bias. The findings of this review provide evidence into a combined effect of tree nuts and peanuts on a range of biomarkers to create an overall CVD risk reduction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.05.004
Macadamia nut effects on cardiometabolic risk factors: A randomised trial
We sought to examine the effects of daily consumption of macadamia nuts on body weight and composition, plasma lipids and glycaemic parameters in a free-living environment in overweight and obese adults at elevated cardiometabolic risk. Utilising a randomised cross-over design, thirty-five adults with abdominal obesity consumed their usual diet plus macadamia nuts (~15 % of daily calories) for 8 weeks (intervention) and their usual diet without nuts for 8 weeks (control), with a 2-week washout. Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance; dietary intake was assessed with 24-h dietary recalls. Consumption of macadamia nuts led to increased total fat and MUFA intake while SFA intake was unaltered. With mixed model regression analysis, no significant changes in mean weight, BMI, waist circumference, percent body fat or glycaemic parameters, and non-significant reductions in plasma total cholesterol of 2⋅1 % (−4⋅3 mg/dl; 95 % CI −14⋅8, 6⋅1) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) of 4 % (−4⋅7 mg/dl; 95 % CI −14⋅3, 4⋅8) were observed. Cholesterol-lowering effects were modified by adiposity: greater lipid lowering occurred in those with overweight v. obesity, and in those with less than the median percent body fat. Daily consumption of macadamia nuts does not lead to gains in weight or body fat under free-living conditions in overweight or obese adults; non-significant cholesterol lowering occurred without altering saturated fat intake of similar magnitude to cholesterol lowering seen with other nuts. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2023.39
New Study Suggests Macadamia Consumption Does Not Lead to Weight Gain
May 10, 2023. The Journal of Nutritional Science has recently published a study that showed macadamia consumption does not lead to weight gain and may have other positive benefits on cardiometabolic risk factors for overweight and obese adults.
The MAC (Macadamia Nut Effects on Adiposity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors) study was a randomized crossover trial led by Dr. Joan Sabaté and conducted by researchers from Loma Linda University in the USA that aimed to analyze how macadamia consumption affects body weight, waist circumference and other cardiometabolic risk factors. The study consisted of 35 individuals aged from 40 to 75 and with a body mass index between 25 and 39, a waist circumference greater than 102 cm for men and 89 cm for women, and one additional cardiometabolic risk factor.
Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. One group was instructed to consume macadamia nuts daily for a total of 8 weeks, representing 15% of their total energy. Then, following a 2-week “wash-out” period, they returned to their normal diet for another 8 weeks. The other group consumed their normal diet during the first phase and switched to the macadamia diet during the second phase. The researchers then assessed the cardiometabolic risk factors using statistical analyses.
The results showed that consumption of macadamias did not lead to changes in waist circumference, body mass or percentage of body fat. Moreover, compared to the control diet, consumption of macadamias led to lower total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and reductions in average weight and body mass index, although these were not statistically significant.
Lead researcher Dr. Joan Sabaté discussed the study by saying, “Weight gain is a major public health problem and an issue of concern for many individuals. Our macadamia study with free-living participants showed that including one to two servings of macadamias to their daily diets does not result in weight gain.”
The study was funded by the global macadamia industry. The call was coordinated by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) with the support of the INC World Forum for Nutrition Research and Dissemination.
Jones, J., Sabaté, J., Heskey, C., Oda, K., Miles, F., & Rajaram, S. (2023). Macadamia nut effects on cardiometabolic risk factors: A randomised trial. Journal of Nutritional Science, 12, E55.
Marketing Orders: May 2023
USA: Almonds Grown in California, Marketing Order
Published on April 27, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking feedback on proposed changes to Marketing Order No. 981, which governs the handling of almonds grown in California. The suggested modifications aim to improve the program's administration by updating certain provisions, simplifying or aligning language with current industry practices and definitions, and establishing the power to borrow funds. The proposal would also authorize the Almond Board of California to receive advanced assessments.
The deadline for comments is June 26, 2023.
Food Safety Update: May 2023
Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods, Maximum Level for Total Aflatoxins in Ready-to-Eat Peanuts
The 16th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF16) took place from April 18 to 21, 2023. The draft report has been published. The CCCF agreed:
(i) to re-convene the EWG, chaired by India and co-chaired by Senegal, to work over the next two years on the maximum level (ML) for total aflatoxins (AFT) in ready-to-eat (RTE) peanuts and the associated sampling plan, as follows:
- (a) to prepare a proposal on a clear definition for RTE peanuts for the establishment of MLs for AFT in RTE peanuts for consideration by CCCF17; and
- (b) following discussion and agreement on the definition for RTE peanuts at CCCF17 to develop MLs for RTE peanuts and associated sampling plans for consideration by CCCF18.
(ii) the EWG should take into account the decision of CCCF15 in relation to the data analysis and the need to have at least two rounds of discussion in the EWG.
(iii) to inform CCEXEC of the decision and request an extension of the timeline for completion of work to 2025.
Argentina: Draft Joint Resolution, Plant-Based Beverages
Notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on April 14, 2023, the draft Joint Resolution includes the definition, sales description, composition and physico-chemical characteristics of plant-based beverages.
The final date for comments is May 15, 2023.
Canada: MRLs Update for Pyraziflumid
Notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on May 3, 2023, the notification reports the maximum residue limits (MRLs) proposed by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency for:
| Commodity | MRLs (ppm) |
| Tree nuts | 0.03 |
Chile: Exportation of Certain Species of Pistachio Plants from the US
On Abril 14, 2023, Chile notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the recognition of the Micro Paradox Inc. production center for the exportation of certain species of pistachio plants from the United States to Chile.
EFSA: Re-evaluation of Bisphenol A
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released a re-evaluation of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical substance utilized in combination with other chemicals to manufacture certain plastics and resins. BPA is also used to produce epoxy resins found in protective coatings and linings for food and beverage cans and vats. After comparing the new tolerable daily intake (TDI) with estimates of dietary exposure to BPA, experts concluded that consumers of all age groups with both average and high exposure to BPA exceeded the new TDI, indicating health concerns.
EU: Contaminants Updated Maximum Levels
The Commission has issued the Regulation (EU) 2023/915, which sets out maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repeals the Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006. The old regulation had been amended many times and it was necessary to replace it. The new regulation aims to protect public health by prohibiting food containing contaminants exceeding the maximum levels from being placed on the market, used as food ingredients, or mixed with food. Food business operators must provide specific concentration, dilution, and processing factors, and appropriate experimental data to apply maximum levels to dried, diluted, processed, and compound food without specific EU maximum levels.
Chemical detoxification of food is prohibited due to a lack of toxicological data and scientific evidence of the safety of the metabolites created by such treatment. The regulation also includes provisions for sorting or physical treatment of food before placing on the market or use as a food ingredient, labeling requirements for certain products, and monitoring and reporting. The maximum levels remain unchanged from the latest amendment of the old regulation.
The new regulation will take effect on May 25, 2023.
EU: Controls for Certain Products and Origins
The European Union voted in favor of the changes in controls for nuts and dried fruits as follows.
Annex I:
- Aflatoxins: Groundnuts from Senegal and Sudan - delisting
- Cyanide: Unprocessed apricot kernels from Türkiye intended to be placed on the market for the final consumer - frequency of identity and physical checks set at 50%
- Sulphites: dried apricots from Uzbekistan - delisting
Annex II:
- Aflatoxins
- Peanuts from Egypt - increase the frequency of identity and physical checks to be performed on those consignments entering the Union to 30%
- Peanuts from Gambia and Sudan – delisting
- Pistachios from Türkiye and Iran, frequency of identity and physical checks set at 50 %
- Pistachios and derived products originating in the United States and dispatched to the EU from Türkiye - should be included in point 3 of Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, with a frequency of identity and physical checks set at 50%.
Luxembourg: Reauthorization of Glyphosate
On March 30, 2023, the Administrative Court of Luxembourg confirmed the judgment of the administrative court which annulled the decisions to withdraw the marketing authorization of eight phytosanitary products containing the active substance glyphosate. The cancellation results in the authorizations of the respective phytosanitary products being restored from the date of the ruling. On February 1, 2020, Luxembourg withdrew the authorization for placing glyphosate on the market, although it allowed the sale of existing stocks to continue until January 1, 2021.
Tanzania: Specifications for Brazil nuts and Hazelnuts
The following specifications were notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on May 4, 2023.
| Commodity | Description of notification |
| Brazil nuts (1) | This Tanzania Standard specifies the requirements, sampling and test methods for raw Brazil nut kernels derived from Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa L.) intended for direct human consumption |
| Hazelnuts (2) | This Tanzania Standard specifies the requirements, sampling and methods of test for raw and roasted hazelnut kernels derived from hazelnut fruit (Corylus avellana L.) intended for human consumption |
(1) More information
(2) More information
The deadline for comments is July 3, 2023.
USA: Pesticide Tolerances for Fluazifop-P-butyl
Effective since April 27, 2023, a new regulation establishes tolerances for residues of fluazifop-P-butyl. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before June 26, 2023.
| Commodity | Parts per million |
| Macadamias | 0.1 |
| Peanut | 1.5 |
| Peanut, meal | 2.2 |
| Pecans | 0.05 |
Labeling Update: May 2023
USA: FDA Extends Comment Period for Guidance on Plant-Based ‘Milk’ Labels
The U.S. Food and Drug Administrator (FDA) has extended the time for the public to give their comments on the draft guidance for labels on plant-based ‘milk’ alternatives. The draft guidance, called “Labeling of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements; Draft Guidance for Industry,” was first released on February 23, 2023, in the Federal Register.
Comment period ends August 1, 2023.
Sustainability Update: May 2023
EU: Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence
During the first reading of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD) proposal, the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Legal Affairs Committee (JURI), agreed on new rules to integrate human rights and environmental impact into companies’ governance. The indicative plenary vote for the CSDD is scheduled for May 31, 2023. The proposed CSDD aims to require companies to identify and prevent any negative impact of their activities, including those of their business partners, on human rights and the environment, such as child labor, slavery, labor exploitation, pollution, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss.
The JURI extended the application of the new rules to include EU-based companies with over 250 employees and a worldwide turnover higher than 40 million euro, as well as parent companies with over 500 employees and a worldwide turnover higher than 150 million euro. The rules would also apply to non-EU companies with a turnover higher than 150 million euro if at least 40 million was generated in the EU. To facilitate compliance, member states would set up a national helpdesk and the Commission would prepare detailed guidelines. MEPs proposed fines to be at least 5% of the net worldwide turnover and to ban non-compliant third-country companies from public procurement.
EU: Consultation on Marketing Standards
On April 21, 2023, the European Commission proposed to revise the existing marketing standards applicable to a number of agri-food products, including nuts and dried fruit. The comment period ends May 19, 2023.
According to the European Commission, this initiative aims to:
- encourage the supply of more sustainable fruit and vegetable products to consumers;
- modernize outdated rules; and
- simplify current legislation on marketing standards and align it with the requirements of the Treaty of Lisbon.
EU: Parliament Adopts New Law to Fight Global Deforestation
On April 19, 2023, the European Parliament approved a proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products. This proposal builds upon the European Commission's original draft, which was introduced on November 17, 2021, and aims to reduce EU-driven deforestation and forest degradation.
The Parliament's adopted text expands the product coverage to include rubber, charcoal, printed paper products, and several palm oil derivatives. Additionally, the definition of forest degradation has been broadened to include the conversion of primary or naturally regenerating forests into plantation forests or other wooded land.
Under this regulation, companies will only be allowed to sell certain products, such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soya, and wood-based products, including leather, chocolate, and furniture, if they can prove that these products do not come from deforested land or have led to forest degradation after December 31, 2020.
EU: Update of the Nutri-Score Algorithm for Beverages
In June 2022, the Nutri-Score Scientific Committee (ScC) released a report on updating the algorithm, which included the "general foods" and "fats, oils, nuts, and seeds" categories.
A new document outlines the proposed update by the ScC for beverages, which recommends that all beverages, including milk, milk-based drinks, fermented milk-based drinks, and plant-based beverages, be included in the category. The categories were adapted from the current Codex Alimentarius food category system described in the general standard for food additives' classification of food products, and from categories listed in other front-of-pack labeling systems used in the European Union.
The new update intends to better categorize beverages to their sugar content. According to the new modifications, water will be the only beverage that can achieve the highest score (A). All other beverages will be classified between B and E.