Tree nut consumption linked with better diet

Nut-lovers have been found to have better diet quality than those who eat fewer nuts in a study published in the journal Nutrients. Tree nut consumption was associated with better diet quality and better nutrient adequacy for most nutrients lacking in many people’s diets.

Those who ate an average of just 44 grams of tree nuts per day had better nutrient adequacy than those who eat the average per capita intake of just 3.3 grams per day.

More tree nut consumers were found to consume the recommended levels of vitamins A, E and C, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc than non-consumers. They also were more likely to meet or exceed the recommended daily intake of dietary fibre and potassium.

The Healthy Eating index, an objective measure of diet quality, was significantly higher in tree nut consumers than non-consumers.

“This new research further supports the need to encourage people to eat tree nuts for overall health,” said Maureen Ternus, MS, RD, executive director of the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF).

“In 2003, FDA (in its qualified health claim for nuts and heart disease) recommended that people eat 1.5 ounces of nuts per day - well above current consumption levels - so we need to encourage people to grab a handful of nuts every day.”

The research was based on data from 14,386 adults participating in the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Rather than studying nutrient intake, the researchers looked at nutrient adequacy - how much of a particular nutrient is consumed in relation to the recommended intake amount for that nutrient.

The study authors stressed the need for nutrition education programs that increase awareness and consumption of tree nuts.