Tree Nut Consumption Is Associated with Improved Diet Quality, Nutrient Intake, and Health Status in U.S. Adults: NHANES 1999–2004

Author(s): V. L. Fulgoni1, C. E. O'Neil2, D.R. Keast3, T.A. Nicklas4; 1Nutrition Impact, LLC, Battle Creek, MI, 2LSU Ag Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 3Food & Nutrition Database Research, Inc., Okemos, MI, 4USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX

Learning Outcome: To determine the associations of tree nut consumption with diet quality, nutrient intake, and health risks in adults. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey – 1999-2004, data were used to examine the association of tree nut consumption (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, filberts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts) on diet quality, nutrient intakes, and health risks in adults 19+ years (n+13,292). Tree nut consumers were defined as those consuming +1⁄4 ounce/day of tree nuts (consumer and non-consumer mean intake of tree nuts was 1.19 and 0.01 oz/d, respectively) during the 24-hour recording period. Means, standard errors, and ANOVA (adjusted for covariates) were determined using appropriate sample weights.

Diet quality, measured using Healthy Eating Index – 2005, was higher in tree nut consumers (58.8 + 0.6 vs. 49.5 + 0.3, p<0.01) as compared to nonconsumers. Mean differences between consumer and non-consumers in adult shortfall nutrients (p<0.05) were: fiber (+5.0 g/d), vitamin E (+3.7 mg AT/d), calcium (+73 mg/d), magnesium (+95 mg/d), and potassium (+260 mg/d). Tree nut consumers also had lower sodium intake (-305 mg/d, p<0.01).

Weight (-1.9 kg), BMI (-0.9 kg/m2), and waist circumference (+2.1 cm) were all lower (p<0.05) in tree nut consumers. The prevalence (%) of overweight/obesity (58.9 + 1.9 vs. 65.8 + 0.7), hypertension (31.4 + 1.2 vs. 33.9 + 0.8), low HDL-C (27.9 + 1.7 vs. 34.5 + 0.8), and metabolic syndrome (21.2 + 2.1 vs. 26.6 + 0.7) was lower (p<0.05) in tree nut consumers as compared to non-consumers.

Tree nut consumption was associated with a higher overall diet quality score, improved nutrient intakes, lower body weight measures, and lower prevalence of health risks.

Funding Disclosure: International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation