Believe It or 'Nut': Why It Is Time to Set the Record Straight on Nut Protein Quality: Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Focus.

There are growing public health movements to transition towards diets that are plant-based. However, confusion exists with concerns that plant-based proteins (including nuts) may be inferior with respect to protein quality. The present publication evaluates the evolution of protein quality concepts and explains the protein science related to pistachios. Pistachio nuts are a plant-based complete protein providing all nine EAAs in addition to an array of nutrients and phytochemicals. They have a PDCAAS of 73 and 81%, (raw and roasted pistachios, respectively), higher than that of many other tree nuts. From an environmental perspective transitioning towards plant-based diets (including nuts) could have potential to reduce total/green water footprints. Dietary guidelines are evolving yet nuts such as pistachios do not always have a clear place within these. Now appears to be a pertinent time to look at protein quality from the perspective of whole daily diets and dietary patterns, factoring in both health and environmental outcomes. Given updated modes of thinking, nuts such as pistachios have an important role to play in terms of providing ready-to-eat, good-quality, plant-based protein within daily diets.

Plant-based snacking: research and practical applications of pistachios for health benefits.

Pistachio nuts are a nutrient-dense source of good quality plant protein, commonly consumed as a minimally processed snack food or ingredient. The present paper is based on a symposium held during the 13th FENS (Federation of European Nutrition Societies) 2019 conference in Dublin that explored recent research and practical applications of pistachios as a plant-based snack, in particular, for appetite control and healthy weight management; and for glycaemic control during pregnancy. Individual nut types, whilst similar in nutritional composition, have unique characteristics which may have a significant impact on potential health effects. Recognising this, the further purpose here is to explore future research needs for pistachios, based on work completed to date and the discussion that ensued among researchers at this event, in order to advance the full scope of health benefits from pistachios, in particular, taking into account of both sustainability and nutritional health.

Dissemination of EAACI food allergy guidelines using a flexible, practical, whole school allergy awareness toolkit.

BACKGROUND: Essential training for emergency adrenaline auto-injector administration alone provides an inadequate safeguard in school environments. Recent UK deaths have reinforced the urgency for embedding whole school (WS) allergy awareness to minimise risk. We documented the development of a practical, flexible WS Food Allergy Awareness Toolkit for UK secondary schools. METHODS: We used a multidisciplinary participatory action research methodology, involving successive modification and retesting of a pragmatic toolkit in 3 case study schools. A School Allergy Action Group drives WS risk assessment, helping schools gradually implement best practice policy in line with their particular needs. Additional schools self-piloted the resulting toolkit with only remote monitoring. School surveys, based on EAACI guidelines were developed to identify priorities and assess change. RESULTS: Effectiveness of the resulting process toolkit, now available online, was independently demonstrated via pre/post-intervention questionnaires from 24/10 pupils with food allergy (FA) and 97/6 pupils without FA, respectively. Pearson correlational analysis showed strong negative relationships between Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (FAQLQ) at T0 and School Support (SS) at T0 (r = -0.8, P<0.01), and between SS and Self-Efficacy (SE) (r = 0.73, P<0.05). Mean FAQLQ scores improved between T0 (3.3) and T1 (2.5). SE improved for those with FA (mean difference = 1.0). In those without FA, SE (mean difference = 0.9) and Attitudes and Knowledge (mean difference = 0.7) also improved. CONCLUSIONS: Full stakeholder involvement in toolkit development encourages usage and, therefore, improves WS community awareness; reduces risk of reactions; fosters a more accepting societal attitude and empowers pupils with/without allergies to self-manage effectively.

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study to Assess Effects of a Daily Pistachio (Pistacia Vera) Afternoon Snack on Next-Meal Energy Intake, Satiety, and Anthropometry in French Women.

Including nuts in the diet improves appetite control and does not lead to weight gain. However, for pistachios, evidence from randomized intervention studies is limited and there are no data on the effect of pistachios on satiety. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of daily consumption of pistachios as an afternoon snack on satiety, self-reported energy, self-reported nutrient intake, body weight, and body composition. This randomized controlled pilot study included two parallel groups of 30 healthy French women, in a free-living setting. For four weeks, groups were instructed to consume either 56 g (1318 kJ) of pistachios or 56 g of isoenergetic/equiprotein savory biscuits as an afternoon snack. Evening energy intake, changes in anthropometric measures, and daily intake of energy and selected nutrients were assessed. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to rate hunger, fullness, desire to eat, and prospective consumption. Satiety effects were not different between groups, as assessed by evening energy intake or VAS scores. Consuming pistachios or biscuits had no impact on body weight. Thiamin, vitamin B6, copper, and potassium intakes were significantly higher in the pistachio group. Consuming pistachios or biscuits as an afternoon snack resulted in similar post-snack food intake and subjective feelings of satiety. A daily pistachio snack for a month did not affect body weight or composition but it did improve micronutrient intake.

Dried fruit and public health - what does the evidence tell us?

A scientific workshop held in the UK explored the potential contribution of traditional dried fruits to public health, identified gaps in the evidence and addressed priorities for research. Presentations considered the categorisation and composition of dried fruits; dried fruit and gastrointestinal health; the polyphenol content of dried fruits and their potential contribution to health; dried fruit and appetite in relation to the psychology of snacking and obesity; dried fruit and dental health including its role as a snack; and conflicts in public health advice for dried fruits. A round table discussion explored the contribution of dried fruit to "five a day" fruit and vegetable intake and fibre intake, whether dried fruits have equivalence with fresh in terms of dietary advice, advice on snacking in relation to dental health and appetite control, informing the public about different types of dried fruits and avoiding consumer confusion, and future research requirements.

Nutrition and osteoporosis prevention for the orthopaedic surgeon: A wholefoods approach.

Osteoporosis is a prevalent and debilitating condition with no signs of subsiding. Rising numbers of people consuming nutrient-poor diets coupled with ageing populations and sedentary lifestyles appear to be the main drivers behind this.While the nutrients calcium and vitamin D have received most attention, there is growing evidence that wholefoods and other micronutrients have roles to play in primary and potentially secondary osteoporosis prevention.Until recently, calcium and vitamin D were regarded as the main nutrients essential to bone health but now there are emerging roles for iron, copper and selenium, among others.Fruit and vegetables are still not being eaten in adequate amounts and yet contain micronutrients and phytochemicals useful for bone remodelling (bone formation and resorption) and are essential for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.There is emerging evidence that dried fruits, such as prunes, provide significant amounts of vitamin K, manganese, boron, copper and potassium which could help to support bone health.Just 50 g of prunes daily have been found to reduce bone resorption after six months when eaten by osteopaenic, postmenopausal women.Dairy foods have an important role in bone health. Carbonated drinks should not replace milk in the diet.A balanced diet containing food groups and nutrients needed for bone health across the whole lifecycle may help to prevent osteoporosis.Greater efforts are needed to employ preventative strategies which involve dietary and physical activity modifications, if the current situation is to improve. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2017;2:300-308. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.160079.