Stakeholder survey About Nuts: image of peanuts and nuts

Peanuts and nuts are generally seen as a ‘healthy’ snack. This became evident from the second stakeholder survey that About Nuts carried out in January 2007. Selected stakeholders working in the fields of nutrition and health took part in a telephone survey. The objective was to evaluate their opinion about peanuts and nuts in the year 2007 and to compare this with the results of the first survey, which was held in 2005.

Peanuts and nuts in the dietary pattern

In line with the first stakeholder survey, in 2007 the stakeholders were positive about the nutritional aspects of peanuts and nuts. The majority of respondents agreed: Peanuts and nuts are very natural products that fit within a healthy dietary pattern. However – compared to 2005 – there was a greater focus on the fibre content, vitamin content, the amount of energy and salt content in these products. A possible explanation for this shift in focus is the increasing amount of attention for overweight, the new Guidelines for a healthy diet introduced in 2006 and the discussions concerning logos.

About Nuts initiative

Stakeholders were positive about the About Nuts initiative. Along with the comment that it is a relatively small initiative, the respondents see a clear role for About Nuts in the discussion on nutrition and health. Through the provision of reliable information and the promotion of unprocessed types of nuts, About Nuts can contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

About Nuts website restyled

The About Nuts website has been restyled. Not only has it been given a modern, fresh look and feel; more information has also been added. You can visit the site for background information about the origins, history, nutritional value and health aspects of peanuts and nuts. Furthermore, you can find the latest news about peanuts, nuts and health.

In order to inform the European stakeholder and consumer about the health effects of peanuts and nuts, About Nuts has decided to expand its initiative further into Europe. Curious? Take a look at the results on www.aboutnuts.com.

A word from: Arie Endendijk, Purchasing Director, The Nut Company

Managing the food chain; a grip on food safety

It is the aim of every self-respecting food producer to have a safe product on the shelves. Sadly enough, this is not always true: many will remember the scandals concerning nitrite (Iglo), diethylene glycol – an additive usually found in antifreeze (Austrian wine) and pesticides (white grapes). Closer to home, everyone will have at least heard of someone who has discovered small stones, glass or metal in packaged foods. The consumer is entitled to expect that producers take all possible measures to prevent this sort of incident. In addition, the consumer is protected by stringent regulations, both from Brussels and from national governments. Nonetheless, much still depends on the sense of responsibility of the producer and his supplier. Whilst the law is applicable to each and every one of us, a clear difference in attitude can be detected in individual products.

We at The Nut Company (TNC) think that by managing the entire chain one can truly get a grip on food safety. It is for this reason that we constantly endeavour to do business directly with the first possible link in that chain. Usually this is the farmer, although with some nuts this is not possible. For example in the case of Brazil nuts, because they grow wild. The first link in the process is then the factory where the nuts are cracked. In addition to usual quality of control measures (for example the norms of the HACCP – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, or the ISO - International Organization for Standardization norms), attention is also paid to related matters such as sanitation and working conditions. Where possible, aspects of farming practices are also discussed. This can relate, for example, to the use of pesticides, the drying of the product after harvesting, and the choice of seed varieties. Packaging materials, lubricants for machines, testing methods, warehousing, etc; everything must meet the food safety requirements. Furthermore, the shipping conditions are also closely monitored by TNC. Notwithstanding the tests carried out in the countries of origin of the products, everything is tested once again in the Netherlands prior to being released for consumption. This provides an even greater safeguard of the products’ quality, since the chance that the product will not be approved is low, because previous testing in countries of origin. Through the sharing of knowledge with producers at an early stage in the chain, major problems are avoided, and it is very encouraging to see what progress has been made in some countries within a period of a few years. With the considerable investments made, it can be rightfully said that TNC “put its money where its mouth is” in the area of food safety!

Science and health

Reduced chance of weight increase through nuts

It is possible that the regular consumption of nuts can reduce the chance of weight increase, according to a study carried out in Spain. In this cohort study, data from 8,865 adults were analysed. Inventories with validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaires on the participants’ dietary habits were made both at the beginning of the study and after two years. From the results it was apparent that participants who ate nuts more than twice a week had on average 30% less risk of a more than 5 kg weight increase (OR 0.69; p for trend 0.006; CI 0.53-0.90) than participants who seldom or never ate nuts.

Possible explanation

According to the researchers, the reduction in the risk of weight increase can possibly be explained by the high fibre and protein content of nuts. Fibre and proteins have a satiating effect and can therefore result in a reduced intake of other foods. Another explanation could be the combination of unsaturated fat and the high protein content in nuts, which could possible lead to a higher metabolic rate, resulting in greater energy use.

The results of the study are, according to the researchers, of great importance because of their high energy density, nuts are often seen by nutritional experts as unhealthy. This while studies show that the consumption of nuts is accompanied by a reduced chance of cardiovascular disease, and that nuts have a relatively high nutrient density. In America the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even approved the following claim:

‘Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces (≈ 45 grams) per day of most nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.’

Sources:
1) Bes-Rastrollo M, et al. Nut consumption and weight gain in a mediterranean cohort: the SUN study. Obesity, vol. 15, nr 1, januari 2007.
2) World Health Organization, Factsheet Obesity and overweight. Global strategy on diet, physical activity and health. 2003.

Satiety effect of almonds

Various studies in which almonds were added to the diet reveal that, despite an increase in energy intake, this does not always mean an increase in weight ^1-3. In the SUN study (see article: ‘Reduced chance of weight increase through nuts’ in this Newsletter), the satieting effect of nuts is mentioned as one of the reasons why nuts in a diet can possibly contribute to a healthy weight ⁴.

In collaboration with About Nuts, a group of Dutch students researched this satiety hypothesis, making use of almonds. They carried out this experiment as part of their study programme.

For a period of sixteen days, thirty-three students ate as lunch either one hundred grammes of almonds or a standardized lunch. Both lunches had an equal macronutrients distribution and provided 578 kilocalories. The participants completed a VAS score list at eight moments between lunch and dinner, in which, among other parameters, the feeling of satiation was measured.

Both the almond group and the control group appeared to have a high satiety score as a result of the high energy value of the different lunches. Although the difference in satiety between the groups appeared to be significant on only a few pilot days, the almond group reported a higher degree of feeling satiated during the entire length of the study.

Sources:
1) Spiller, GA, et al. Effect of a diet high in monounsaturated fat from almonds on plasma cholesterol and lipoproteins. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 1992;11:126-130.
2) Jenkins LN, et al. Circulation. Dose Response of Almonds on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: Blood Lipids, Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins, Lipoprotein(a), Homocysteine, and Pulmonary Nitric Oxide. Circulation; 2002;106:1327
3) St-Onge, MP. Dietary fats, teas, dairy, and nuts: potential functional foods for weight control. Am J Clin Nutr 2005;81:7–15.
4) Bes-Rastrollo M, et al. Nut consumption and weight gain in a mediterranean cohort: the SUN study. Obesity, vol. 15, nr 1, januari 2007
5) Effects of a 16-day intervention of almond nuts or a control lunch with similar macronutrient composition on satiety and cholesterol profile, 2007 (unpublished).