Raisin Consumption is Associated with Increased Nutrient Intake, Better Diet Quality, and Lower Body Mass Index in Adult Participants (19+ years) from the NHANES (2001–2012)

Abstract

The association between raisin consumption with nutrient intake, dietary quality, and weight parameters was examined in adults using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2001–2012 (n=29,684). Raisin consumers (n=458, 60.1% female) were defined as reporting consumption of any amount of raisins during the first 24‐hour diet recall. Diet quality was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index‐2010 (HEI). Covariate adjusted (age, gender, race/ethnicity, poverty income ratio, physical activity level, current smoking status, and alcohol intake) regression analyses were conducted using appropriate sample weights; significance was set at p<0.01. For analyses of nutrients and food groups energy intake was an additional covariate. Energy intake was higher in raisin consumers than non‐consumers (2257 ± 44 vs. 2074 ± 9). Examining nutrients of public health concern/shortfall nutrients identified by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report 2015, dietary fiber (22.1 ± 1 vs. 16.5 ± 0.1 g/d) and potassium (3084 ± 77 vs. 2665 ± 10 mg/d) were significantly higher in raisin consumers compared to non‐consumers, while no associations were observed for intakes of calcium and vitamin D. Intakes of vitamin A, folate, and iron were similar in raisin consumers and non‐consumers but intake of vitamin C (117 ± 8 vs. 94.4 ± 1.2 mg/d), vitamin E (8.9 ± 0.5 vs. 7.3 ± 0.1 mg AT/d), and magnesium (355 ± 11 vs. 290 ± 1 mg/d) were higher in raisin consumers. Regarding nutrients to limit, intakes of saturated fatty acids (21. 2 ± 0.9 vs. 25.0 ± 0.1 g/day), added sugars (14.9 ± 0.7 vs. 18.0 ± 0.2 tsp equivalents/day), and sodium (3190 ± 78 vs. 3541 ± 17 mg/day) were significantly lower in the raisin consumers vs. non‐consumers. Consumers had higher total HEI scores (61.4 ± 1.0 vs. 49.1 ± 0.2). Regarding HEI sub‐components, except for total dairy and total protein, HEI sub‐component scores were higher for raisin consumers as compared to non‐consumers. The largest differences in sub‐component scores were seen for calories from solid fats, added sugars, and alcohol, (14.3 ± 0.4 vs. 12.1 ± 0.1), whole grains (4.2 ± 0.2 vs. 2.1 ± 0.04), and whole fruit (3.8 ± 0.2 vs. 2.1 ± 0.03). BMI (27.3±0.4 vs. 28.8±0.1 kg/m2) and waist circumference (94.1±0.1 vs. 97.8±0.2 cm) were lower in consumers. Raisin consumers were 39% less likely [odds ratio (OR):0.61, 99th confidence interval (CI): 0.41, 0.89] to be overweight or obese and had a 48% reduced risk (OR=0.58, 99th CI: 0.36, 0.74) of increased waist size. Raisin consumption was associated with better nutrient intake, diet quality and weight parameters in adults.Support or Funding InformationFunding provided by Sun‐Maid Growers of California and USDA.