Dried Fruit Consumption Research Articles

Micronutrient Mineral and Folate Content of Australian and Imported Dried Fruit Products

A selection of Australian and imported fresh and dried fruit products, including sultanas, Sunmuscats, Carina currants, Zante currants, apricots, and prunes, were analyzed for selected minerals (Ca, Mg, Na, S, B, Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, and Se), folate and vitamin C, and the capacity of dried fruits for dietary provision of these micronutrients evaluated. Micro-nutrients were concentrated by a factor of 3–5 in dried fruits compared with their fresh fruit counterparts and were consequently present in nutritionally significant levels, in contrast to fresh fruit. Australian dried sultanas, Carina currant, Zante currant, apricots, and prunes contained Cu, Fe, K, and Mn at levels of >20% of daily Required Dietary Intake (RDI, taken as the average for adult men and women as nominated by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council) and Sunmuscats contained Cu, Fe, and K at >20% of RDI. All dried fruits studied contained boron in the range of 1.5 to 5.4 mg per 100 g; however, the RDI for boron has not been defined by the NHMRC at the present time. All sultanas and currants studied contained folate at levels of 10–20% of RDI per 100 g. Experimental drying methods significantly affected folate levels with higher folate content in non-ground versus ground-based drying methods. Of the micro-nutrients supplying >20% of RDI, folate represents a particular nutrient for which the mean daily intake of adult Australians is typically inadequate. This study shows that dried fruit consumption, in contrast with fresh fruit, can provide significant proportions of daily requirements of several micronutrients, particularly folate.

Dried Fruit Consumption Associated with Improved Diet Quality and Reduced Overweight or Obesity in Adults: Nhanes, 1999-2004

Dried Fruit Consumption Associated with Improved Diet Quality and Reduced Overweight or Obesity in Adults: Nhanes, 1999-2004

Dried fruit consumption associated with reduced overweight or obesity in adults: NHANES, 1999‐2004

NHANES, 1999‐2004, data were used to examine the associations of dried fruit consumption with body weight and adiposity in adults 19+ years (n=13,292). Group definitions were non‐consumers vs. consumers of =1/8 equivalent cup fruit/day from dried fruit (eaten out of hand or contained in foods). Anthropometric assessments were overweight/obesity (BMI =25 kg/m2), abdominal obesity (waist circumference >102 cm, men; >88 cm, women), and skinfold measures. Sample‐weighted means, standard errors, and ANOVA (adjusted for covariates including physical activity and other lifestyle factors) were determined using SUDAAN. Between‐group difference in subscapular (‐1.0 mm, p<0.05), but not triceps skinfold was significant. Weight (‐2.7 kg, p<0.01), BMI (‐1.1 kg/m2, p<0.01), prevalence (%) of overweight/obesity (56.0 ± 2.4 vs. 65.8 ± 0.7, p<0.01); waist circumference (‐2.6 cm, p<0.01), and prevalence (%) of abdominal obesity (40.5 ± 2.3 vs. 49.4 ± 0.8, p<0.01) were all lower in dried fruit consumers than non‐consumers. Logistic regression also indicated dried fruit consumption was associated with reduced risks for overweight/obesity (OR=0.64, 95% CI = 0.51‐0.81), and abdominal obesity (OR=0.67, 95% CI = 0.54‐0.83). Dried fruit consumption was associated with lower body weight measures, and reduced abdominal obesity in adults. Supported by California Raisin Marketing Board