Abstract
Certain dietary patterns, in which fruits and nuts are featured prominently, reduce risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, estimated fruit consumption historically in the U.S. has been lower than recommendations. Dried fruit intake is even lower with only about 6.9 % of the adult population reporting any consumption. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee identified a gap between recommended fruit and vegetable intakes and the amount the population consumes. Even fewer Americans consume tree nuts, which are a nutrient-dense food, rich in bioactive compounds and healthy fatty acids. Consumption of fruits and nuts has been associated with reduced risk of cardiometabolic disease. An estimated 5.5 to 8.4 % of U.S. adults consume tree nuts and/or tree nut butter. This review examines the potential of pairing nuts and dried fruit to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors and focuses on emerging data on raisins and pistachios as representative of each food category. Evidence suggests that increasing consumption of both could help improve Americans’ nutritional status and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Highlights
It is well established that certain dietary patterns decrease disease risk and benefit the management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease [1,2,3]
The results showed that each incremental intake of 3 servings a week of certain whole fruits, including grapes or raisins, dried plums, apples or pears, grapefruits, and blueberries, was associated with a significant reduction in risk of developing type 2 diabetes
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 47 RCT with subjects diagnosed with dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes mellitus, showed significant reductions in triglycerides and fasting blood glucose among those given the diets supplemented with tree nuts (~50 g/day), compared with control diet interventions [81]
Summary
It is well established that certain dietary patterns decrease disease risk and benefit the management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease [1,2,3]. Total fruit, dark green and orange vegetables, sodium and solid fat, alcohol and added sugars (SoFAAS) kilocalories component scores were higher in tree nut consumers than non-consumers.
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