Association of raisin consumption with nutrient intake, diet quality, and health risk factors in US adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2012

Abstract

Raisins are one of the most commonly consumed dried fruits. Because of their unique nutrient profile, raisins may have some distinctive health benefits. The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-sectional association between raisin consumption and nutrient intake, dietary quality, body weight, and metabolic syndrome risk factors in adults. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2001–2012 (n = 29,684) were used. Raisin consumers (n = 458, 60% female) were defined as those having any amount of raisins during the first 24 h dietary recall. Diet quality was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010). Covariate (demographic and lifestyle)-adjusted regression analyses were conducted using appropriate sample weights and significance was set at p < 0.01. Raisin consumers had higher intakes of energy (9%); higher intakes of ‘nutrients of public health concern/shortfall nutrients’, such as dietary fiber (34%), potassium (16%), magnesium (22%), vitamin C (24%), and vitamin E (22%); and lower intakes of ‘nutrients to limit’, such as added sugar (−17%), saturated fat (−15%), and sodium (−10%), than non-consumers. No associations were observed for intakes of calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, and folate. Consumers had higher intakes of total fruit (72%), whole fruit (111%), vegetables (22%), and whole grains (109%), and had a higher diet quality, as indicated by 25% higher total HEI-2010 scores than non-consumers. Compared to non-consumers, raisin consumers had a lower body weight (−4.2%), body mass index (−5.2%), and waist circumference (−3.8%), were 39% less likely to be overweight or obese, and had a 54% reduced risk of metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, raisin consumption was associated with better nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight parameters, and with lower risk of being obese and having metabolic syndrome in US adults.

Association of raisin and raisin‐containing food consumption with nutrient intake and diet quality in US children: NHANES 2001‐2012

“…It has also been effectively used to evaluate diets of population subgroups [Hiza, Casavale, Guenther, & Davis, 2013] and food environments [Reedy, Krebs‐Smith, & Bosire, 2010]. Several recent studies have also used HEI to assess relationships between intakes of nutrients, specific foods, and dietary patterns with health‐related outcomes [Fulgoni et al., 2017; Nicklas, O'Neil, & Fulgoni, 2012; Chiuve et al., 2012; Reedy et al., 2008; O'Neil, Nicklas, Rampersaud, & Fulgoni, 2011]. Total and many subcomponent HEI‐2010 scores of consumers of raisins and raisin‐containing foods were significantly higher than those of nonconsumers.…”

“…Similar to our previous work (Fulgoni et al., 2017), intake of raisins were assessed using only two USDA food codes [USDA 2015a]: plain raisins (USDA food code 62125100) and cooked raisins (USDA food code 62125110). Intake of raisin‐containing foods was assessed using 147 USDA food codes that contained raisins as an ingredient.…”

“…Consumers of raisin‐containing foods ( n  = 2,059) were defined as those consuming any quantity of foods that contained raisins during the 24‐hr recall. Energy and nutrient intake were determined similar to that of Fulgoni et al, 2017; in short, the respective Food & Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies for each NHANES cycle were used [USDA, 2015a]. MyPlate servings were calculated using the USDA MyPyramid Equivalents Database (MPED; for older surveys) and Food Patterns Equivalents Database (FPED; for more recent surveys) [Bowman, Friday, & Moshfegh, 2008; USDA, 2015b] which provides servings of major food groups and corresponding subgroups.…”

“…The complex sample design of NHANES was considered using primary sampling units and strata with appropriate survey weights (day one dietary sample weights) in all intake analyses. Similar to our approach used previously (Fulgoni et al., 2017), least square means (LSMs) and standard errors (SEs) were generated via regression analyses for intakes of energy, nutrients, and food groups and diet quality in consumers and nonconsumers of raisins and raisin‐containing foods. Analyses of intakes of food groups and nutrient intakes were adjusted for age, ethnicity, gender, poverty income ratio, physical activity level, current smoking status, and energy intake.…”

“…Satiating effects of raisins have been reported in a couple of studies with children [Patel, Luhovyy et al., 2013; Patel, Luhovyy, Mollard, Painter, & Anderson, 2013]. Using NHANES data, we have recently reported that raisin consumption in adults was associated with better diet quality, and better nutrient intake, with lower risks of having metabolic syndrome and being obese and (Fulgoni, Painter, & Carughi, 2017). Epidemiological studies evaluating the effect of raisins on diet quality and nutrient intake in children are very limited.…”