Abstract
ABSTRACTRaisins are one of the most commonly consumed dried fruits. Because of their unique nutrient profile, raisins may have some distinctive health benefits. The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-sectional association between raisin consumption and nutrient intake, dietary quality, body weight, and metabolic syndrome risk factors in adults. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2001–2012 (n = 29,684) were used. Raisin consumers (n = 458, 60% female) were defined as those having any amount of raisins during the first 24 h dietary recall. Diet quality was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010). Covariate (demographic and lifestyle)-adjusted regression analyses were conducted using appropriate sample weights and significance was set at p < 0.01. Raisin consumers had higher intakes of energy (9%); higher intakes of ‘nutrients of public health concern/shortfall nutrients’, such as dietary fiber (34%), potassium (16%), magnesium (22%), vitamin C (24%), and vitamin E (22%); and lower intakes of ‘nutrients to limit’, such as added sugar (−17%), saturated fat (−15%), and sodium (−10%), than non-consumers. No associations were observed for intakes of calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, and folate. Consumers had higher intakes of total fruit (72%), whole fruit (111%), vegetables (22%), and whole grains (109%), and had a higher diet quality, as indicated by 25% higher total HEI-2010 scores than non-consumers. Compared to non-consumers, raisin consumers had a lower body weight (−4.2%), body mass index (−5.2%), and waist circumference (−3.8%), were 39% less likely to be overweight or obese, and had a 54% reduced risk of metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, raisin consumption was associated with better nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight parameters, and with lower risk of being obese and having metabolic syndrome in US adults.
Highlights
Dietary guidelines around the world unequivocally recommend increased consumption of fruit and vegetables
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) identified vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber as ‘shortfall nutrients’, since these nutrients are being consumed at levels below those recommended; and of these, vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium, and fiber are being underconsumed to the extent that may pose a public health concern and are described as ‘nutrients of public health concern’ [1]
Raisin consumers were more likely to be older and non-Hispanic white, and to have a higher income; and less likely to be male, Mexican American, and smokers, and to have a sedentary lifestyle compared to non-consumers (Table 1)
Summary
Dietary guidelines around the world unequivocally recommend increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) 2015–2020 recommend the consumption of fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy eating pattern [1]. Fruits are an important source of many essential nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate, and are naturally low in fat, sodium, and calories. Despite these recommendations, over 75% of adult females and 85% of adult males in the USA do not consume an adequate amount of fruit and only 12% of adult females and 6% of adult males consume the recommended daily servings of fruit [3]. The DGA identified vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin C, calcium, iron (for certain age and gender groups), magnesium, potassium, and fiber as ‘shortfall nutrients’, since these nutrients are being consumed at levels below those recommended; and of these, vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium, and fiber are being underconsumed to the extent that may pose a public health concern and are described as ‘nutrients of public health concern’ [1]
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