Air pollution is associated with persistent peanut allergy in the first 10 years
Background: The role of air pollution in eczema and food allergy development remains understudied. Objective: We aimed to assess whether exposure to air pollution is associated with eczema and food allergies in the first 10 years of life. Methods: HealthNuts recruited a population-based sample of 1-year-old infants who were followed up at ages 4, 6, and 10 years. Annual average fine particulate matter (particulate matter with diameter of 2.5 μm or less, or PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposures were assigned to geocoded residential addresses. Eczema was defined by parent report. Oral food challenges to peanut, egg, and sesame were used to measure food allergy. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted, and estimates were reported as adjusted odds ratios. Results: Those exposed to high concentration of NO2 (<10 ppb) at age 1 year had higher peanut allergy prevalence at ages 1 (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.21 [1.40-3.48]) and 4 (2.29 [1.28-4.11]) years. High exposure to NO2 at 6 years old were associated with higher peanut allergy prevalence at age 6 (1.34 [1.00-1.82] per 2.7 ppb NO2 increase) years. Similarly, increased PM2.5 at age 1 year was associated with peanut allergy at ages 4, 6, and 10 years (respectively, 1.27 [1.01-1.60], 1.27 [1.01-1.56], and 1.46 [1.05-2.04] per 1.2 μg/m PM2.5 increase) years. We found that increased concentrations of NO2 or PM2.5 at age 1 year were associated with persistent peanut allergy at later ages. Little evidence of associations was observed with eczema or with egg allergy. Conclusions: Early-life exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with peanut allergy prevalence and persistence. Policies aiming at reducing air pollution could potentially reduce presence and persistence of peanut allergy.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2024.08.018
Pistachio consumption increases Macular Pigment Optical Density in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial
Background: Pistachios are a bioavailable source of the xanthophyll lutein. Along with zeaxanthin, these plant pigments are major components of macular pigment (MP) in the human retina. MP can be non-invasively measured and is referred to as MP optical density (MPOD). MPOD is modifiable with dietary interventions that include lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z). Higher MPOD protects the eye from light damage and is positively associated with eye health. Objective: The objective of this dietary intervention study is to evaluate the effect of pistachio consumption on MPOD. Methods: This single-blinded, randomized-controlled trial compared a 12-week pistachio intervention (2 oz/day) with usual diet (UD) on MPOD and serum L/Z in middle-aged to older healthy adults (n=36) in a 1:1 randomization scheme. Participants were selected for habitually low L/Z intake and low baseline MPOD. MPOD was measured using heterochromatic flicker photometry at four retinal eccentricities during baseline, week-6 and week-12 study-visits. Serum L/Z was analyzed with HPLC. Primary statistical analysis was conducted on an intent-to-treat basis using repeated-measure analysis of variance. Results: Compared to UD, MPOD of the participants in the pistachio intervention group (PIS) significantly increased (p<0.001) at all eccentricities over the initial 6-week period. This increase was maintained at week-12. MPOD in UD participants did not change during the 12-week period. Serum lutein concentration followed a similar pattern to MPOD; serum cis-lutein and zeaxanthin did not change in either group over the 12-week intervention. Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrate that a dietary intervention with pistachios is efficacious in increasing MPOD in healthy adults selected for habitually low intake of L/Z and low baseline MPOD. This suggests that pistachio consumption could be an effective dietary strategy for preserving eye health. Future studies would also need to evaluate the generalizability to other populations.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.10.022
Association between nut consumption and mortality risk: a 20-year cohort study in Korea with a stratified analysis by health-related variables
Background: Although nuts are a well-known healthy food group, the relationship between nut consumption and mortality remains unclear, particularly among Asians. This prospective cohort study examined the association between nut consumption and the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality in Korean adults. Methods: Data from two cohorts (the Ansan-Ansung and Health-Examinees) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were used. A total of 114,140 individuals aged 40-79 years were included in the data analyses. Nut consumption was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and categorized into four groups: non-consumers, less than 1 serving/week, 1-2 servings/week, and 2 or more servings/week (one serving was 15 g of nuts). Mortality outcomes were determined based on the 2001-2021 death records from Statistics Korea. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality across nut consumption categories. A stratified subgroup analysis by health-related variables was also performed. Results: During a mean follow-up of 12.3 years, 4,559 deaths were recorded. After adjusting for covariates, the HR for all-cause mortality was 0.877 (95% CI = 0.772-0.996, p for trend = 0.006) in individuals with a nut consumption of 2 or more servings/week compared with that in non-consumers. Multivariable HRs for CVD mortality were 0.800 (95% CI = 0.681-0.939) in individuals consuming less than 1 serving/week, 0.656 (95% CI = 0.469-0.918) in those consuming 1-2 servings/week, and 1.009 (95% CI = 0.756-1.347) in those consuming 2 or more servings/week compared with that in non-consumers (p for trend = 0.080). No association was observed between nut consumption and cancer mortality. Stratified analysis identified significant interactions in the association between nut consumption and all-cause mortality by age, body mass index, and physical activity. Conclusions: Nut consumption was linearly associated with the reduced risk of all-cause mortality and showed a non-linear dose-response relationship with CVD mortality in Koreans, but had no association with cancer mortality. The effects of nut consumption, which have been inadequately investigated in this population, varied across different subgroups. These findings suggest that incorporating nuts into the diet should be encouraged for long-term health of Korean adults.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-024-01019-y
Effect of Nuts Combined with Energy Restriction on the Obesity Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Obesity is a multifactorial disease that is difficult to control worldwide. Although nuts are recognized health foods, the application of food in obesity management is unclear. We systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis to evaluate if nut consumption favors people on energy restriction (ER) dietary interventions. Four databases were used to search for eligible articles in May 2024. This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guide, and the bias risk of papers was evaluated. For the meta-analysis, we extracted the endpoint values of the group's variables and estimated the effect sizes by the random-effects model. Sixteen and ten articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. Almonds were evaluated in the majority of studies (n = 6). The consumption of nuts (28 to 84 g/d, 4 to 72 months) included in ER (-250 to 1000 kcal/d) did not differently affect anthropometry (weight loss, BMI, waist and hip circumferences), body composition (fat mass, fat-free mass, or lean mass), markers of glucose (glycemia and insulinemia), lipid metabolism (total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, LDL-c/HDL-c, or triglycerides), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In most analyses, stratifying studies by type of nut or intervention time did not present different results in the meta-analysis. As there are few studies, in addition to great methodological variability, more high-quality trials are needed to confirm these results. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42023444878.
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13183008
Nut consumption is associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia in adults: a community-based cohort study from the UK Biobank
This cohort study aimed to analyze the relationship between nut consumption and the risk of all-cause dementia in adults from the United Kingdom (UK). Data from participants in the UK Biobank cohort between 2007-2012 (baseline) and 2013-2023 (follow-up) were analyzed. Baseline information on nut consumption was obtained using the Oxford WebQ 24-h questionnaire. All-cause dementia (i.e. Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, or vascular dementia) was assessed at baseline and follow-up through self-reported medical diagnosis, hospitalization, or death records. Hazard regression models were used to estimate the association between nut consumption and the risk of developing all-cause dementia, with adjustments made for sociodemographic, lifestyle, hearing problems, self-rated health, and the number of chronic diseases. Participants with all-cause dementia at baseline were excluded. A total of 50,386 participants (mean age 56.5 ± 7.7 years, 49.2% women) were included in the prospective analyses. The incidence of all-cause dementia was 2.8% (n = 1422 cases). Compared with no consumption, daily nut consumption (> 0 to 3 or more handfuls) was significantly associated with a 12% lower risk of all-cause dementia (hazard ratio = 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.99) after 7.1 mean years of follow-up, regardless of the potential confounders considered. No statistically significant interactions were observed between nut consumption and any of the covariates included in the hazard regression models. Stratified analyses revealed that nut consumption of up to 1 handful of 30 g/day and consumption of unsalted nuts were associated with the greatest protective benefits. The daily consumption of nuts may play a protective role in the prevention of dementia.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01365-z
Study Finds Eating Pistachios May Support Eye Health
Two handfuls of pistachios daily improved macular pigment optical density
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition assessed the effect of pistachio consumption on macular pigment optical density, which protects the eye from light damage and is positively associated with eye health.
In this 12-week single-blinded, randomized-controlled trial, 36 healthy adult participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an intervention group that consumed 2 ounces (57 grams) of shelled pistachios plus their usual diet, or a control group that ate their usual diet. The researchers measured macular pigment optical density as well as serum concentration of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.
Participants who ate pistachios saw significant increases in macular pigment optical density after only six weeks. The findings also showed that lutein intakes nearly doubled and blood lutein levels were significantly elevated in the pistachio group. The researchers concluded that the inclusion of pistachios in a healthy diet could be an effective dietary strategy for promoting eye health.
This project was supported by American Pistachio Growers.
Scott, T. M., Ogunbodede, O., McKay, D., & Johnson, E. J. (2024). Pistachio consumption increases Macular Pigment Optical Density in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Nutrition, S0022-3166(24)01099-X. Advance online publication.
Study Suggests Eating Nuts May Help Prevent Dementia
Daily consumption was associated with a 12% lower risk of all-cause dementia
A recent cohort study published in the journal GeroScience analyzed the relationship between nut consumption and the risk of all-cause dementia in adults from the United Kingdom.
The researchers analyzed data from 50,386 participants with a mean age of 56.5 years. All-cause dementia —i.e. Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia or vascular dementia— was assessed at baseline and a 24-hour dietary questionnaire was used to assess nut consumption. Participants were tracked through self-reported medical diagnosis, hospitalization or death records.
The findings showed that daily nut consumption was significantly associated with a 12% lower risk of all-cause dementia after an average follow-up period of 7 years. Statistical analyses showed that nut consumption of up to 1 handful (30 grams) per day and consumption of unsalted nuts were associated with the greatest protective benefits. The researchers concluded that daily nut consumption may play a protective role in the prevention of dementia.
Bizzozero-Peroni, B., Díaz-Goñi, V., Beneit, N., Oliveira, A., Jiménez-López, E., Martínez-Vizcaíno, V., & Mesas, A. E. (2024). Nut consumption is associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia in adults: a community-based cohort study from the UK Biobank. GeroScience, 10.1007/s11357-024-01365-z. Advance online publication.
Prunes Global Statistical Review
The information contained herein was prepared between mid-September and October 2024.
USA. The California Prune Board estimates the 2024 production at around 65,000 metric tons. Despite prolonged high temperatures and a later-than-usual harvest, growers worked diligently to minimize the impact. This resulted in a high-quality crop, with only a moderate production volume loss.
Chile. As reported by Chile Prunes, adequate cold hours have been recorded during last winter, along with good water availability. As of this report, no frost events have occurred and fruit set has been satisfactory, indicating a positive start to the season.
Pistachios Global Statistical Review
The information contained herein was prepared between September and October 2024.
USA. Total shipments at the end of crop year 2023/24 were a record-setting 535,870 metric tons (1.2 billion pounds), a 31% increase from the prior record shipment of 409,087 MT (902 million lbs.) for the 2022/23 crop year. Shipments saw a significant increase due to several key factors. There was a notable rise in demand from international markets, particularly Europe and China. Europe saw shipments increase from 88,400 MT (195 M lbs.) in 2022/23 to 133,300 MT (294 M lbs.) in 2023/24. China saw shipments rise from 95,200 MT (210 M lbs.) to 165,100 MT (364 M lbs.) for the same years. Limited supply from Iran also helped sustain good demand from the Middle East and India throughout the year. Yields were also favorable for 2023/24, with a crop size of 678,000 MT (1.5 B lbs.), ensuring that there was enough supply to meet the heightened demand. Crop size for the upcoming 2024/25 crop year is considered an off year, estimated to be 499,000 MT (1.1 B lbs.). Early harvest receipts indicate good quality with relatively low stain levels.
Türkiye. Harvest of the largest-ever Turkish crop started in late July and was still ongoing by mid-September with no incidents reported. Kernel quality was good, and the early-harvest batches had already been shipped at the time of this report. Due to the large crop, the average size of pistachios this year is smaller, with an expected size range of 34/36.
This bumper crop has sparked interest from major consumer regions, where there was strong anticipation of a sharp price reduction. Kernel prices have already been adjusted downward. However, in-shell pistachios were still priced on the higher side. In comparison to the anticipated export volumes, the domestic market was expected to remain relatively stable throughout the year.
Iran. The Iran Pistachio Association adjusted the 2023/24 crop estimate to 168,000 MT and announced the 2024/25 crop forecast at 190,000 MT. The harvest began in mid-September and was expected to extend for a longer duration than usual. There were reports of higher-than-usual blanks and heat damage due to excessive summer temperatures and daily irrigation interruptions caused by widespread electricity shortages in the country. This will probably result in a downward revision of the 2024/25 crop forecast.
The 2023/24 marketing year closed with total exports of 133,000 MT (in-shell equivalent) and total domestic consumption was estimated at 25,000 MT. Export shipments during the summer exceeded expectations, averaging 10,000 MT monthly and reaching more than double the level of the same period in the previous year. In the last marketing month (August 23 – September 22), driven by Diwali demand, India led shipments at ca. 2,000 MT. Overall, shipments to the Indian subcontinent remained strong, with kernel shipments growing during the latter half of the 2023/24 crop year. Kernels and green peeled pistachio kernels (GPPK) accounted for 42% of this year's export shipments, compared to a four-year average of 35%. Demand for GPPK has been robust, with shipments to non-European destinations increasing throughout the year and adding up to about 40% of GPPK shipments.
Spain. Supply is expected to be more limited this season, primarily due to unfavorable weather conditions during blooming, coupled with 2024/25 being an off year. Additionally, new processing plants are emerging each year, with around 70 facilities now operating in the country.
Australia. The initial estimate for the 2025 crop, set to be harvested in March, is projected to range between 3,000 MT and 3,500 MT. Domestic pistachio consumption has seen a 7% increase over the past financial year, following two years of stagnant demand.
Peanuts Global Statistical Review
The information contained herein was prepared between mid-September and October 2024.
China. According to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, planted area saw an increase in 2024 compared to last year, primarily driven by declining prices of competing crops, especially corn. Planting grew by approximately 10%, with larger expansions in the major producing provinces of Henan and Jilin.
Weather conditions throughout the growing regions have been challenging, particularly in Henan province and in western Shandong province, where, early in the sowing season, excessive heat and drought hampered growth, followed by heavy rainfall, which led to root issues and adversely affected yield per land area. Nonetheless, overall production was expected to remain high due to the increased planting area.
As the new peanut harvest season has progressed, major producing areas like Henan and Shandong have begun listing their peanuts, with northeastern provinces expected to follow as of October. The opening prices for the edible grade were set at approximately US$1,270 per metric ton, while oil peanuts were priced at around US$1,130 per MT. However, the abundant supply and weak downstream demand have contributed to a decline in both peanut futures and spot prices. Lower prices benefit the export of high-quality edible peanuts. In contrast, countries aiming to export oil peanuts to China need to remain competitive in the Chinese market.
USA. As per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) October 2024 Crop Production Report, Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in late September 2024, affected several agricultural regions, including peanut-growing areas in Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. However, the full impact of the storm might not be reflected until future reports.
Peanut production for 2024 showed an overall increase in both planted and harvested areas compared to the previous year. Total peanut planted area reached 1.81 million acres (732,300 hectares), up 10% from 2023. Similarly, the area harvested grew by 12% to 1.75 M acres (708,400 ha). Georgia, the largest peanut-producing state, reported an expansion of 10% in its harvested acreage, estimated at 845,000 acres (342,100 ha). Texas, with 210,000 acres (85,000 ha), saw an increase of 27%. Alabama’s area rose 9%, to 186,000 acres (75,300 ha), while Florida's expanded 6%, to 161,000 acres (65,200 ha).
Yield was forecasted at 3,683 pounds per acre (4.12 MT/ha), 2% down from 2023. However, driven by the overall increased acreage, total production was expected to increase 10%, reaching 6.44 billion lbs. (2.92 M MT). Georgia’s crop was forecasted to reach 3.21 B lbs. (1.46 M MT), an increase of 2% from 2023. Alabama was expected to produce 614 M lbs. (278,400 MT), 30% higher than the previous year. Florida’s crop was projected 14% up, at 596 M lbs. (270,200 MT). Texas was also expected to see an increase, with production projected at 525 M lbs. (238,100 MT), up by 14% from last year.
Argentina. The Argentine Chamber of Commerce reported that 416,490 ha were planted for the 2023/24 season and 416,039 ha were harvested. Yield was estimated at 3.8 MT/ha on an in-shell basis (2.7 MT/ha kernel basis), resulting in a production of 1,604,722 MT on an in-shell basis (1,123,305 MT kernel basis), up by 71% from 2022/23. Exports were, at the time of this report, projected at 740,950 MT of shelled peanuts. Domestic demand, including blanching losses, milling and seed use, was anticipated to reach 344,695 MT.
