NATURALIA

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Dried fruits: an expanding market

The growing attention in the food industry for dried fruit is confirmed by the burgeoning demand in the markets, with positive growth for the period 2020-2021, and global production at 5.3 million tonnes. An increase of 15% over the period 2019-2020 is actually estimated.

However, the growth in demand is not synonymous with an equal increase in the quality of the product, which is often subject to chemical treatments in both production and storage. For this reason, Naturalia strives to supply a quality product, specially selected from the best producers, according to very high quality standards. In this context, only walnuts from traditional organic cultivations are accepted for marketing, supporting a high sensitivity not only to consumers, but also to the producers themselves, who have certifications attesting to the sustainability of the productions, as well as their quality and respect for the highest ethical values.

The boom in dried fruit sales

Walnuts, almonds, peanuts and pistachios do not suffer a setback despite the crisis. Italians seem more and more inclined to follow a more sustainable diet, as witnessed by the increased consumption of vegetable-based products as an alternative to those of animal origin. An important support of healthy diets is provided by dried fruit, which is rich in "minerals, fibre, protein and fatty acids (omega 3 and omega 6)" and this has led to a sharp increase in sales, which have already exceeded 12 % since 2016.

The growing demand for nuts is supported by a renewed food consciousness, which attests to the need to supplement this range of foods to maintain a balanced diet.

Many studies claim that nut supplementation can result in health benefits, especially in the area of cardiovascular disease, due to the intake of plant proteins, the presence of minerals, fibre and fatty acids.

Specifically, numerous medical articles have shown that moderate consumption of pistachios as part of a varied and balanced diet can provide long-term benefits for glucose metabolism, as well as in the prevention of cardiac disorders, while also consistently aiding kidney and intestinal functions and promoting body weight control.

In the same context, the progressive substitution of meat for many consumers makes it necessary to supplement nuts as a substitute food.

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Some international medical and scientific publications

In the article 'Physico-chemical properties and health benefits of pistachio nuts', the authors analysed several studies published in PubMed, ISI web of knowledge and Google Scholar. The conclusions of the study were summarised as follows:

"Pistachios contain protein, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, fat, folic acid, vitamin K, magnesium and potassium, gamma-tocopherols, phytochemicals and polyphenols. Together, these constituents have been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions to improve overall health when consumed as a healthy diet."

The article 'The effect of pistachios on human health: a review study' concluded that pistachios, due to their nutrients, have a positive impact on human health, 'including the cardiovascular system, blood lipids and blood pressure. Moreover, thanks to their unsaturated fats, they also act on lipoproteins and reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes, and help in weight management and metabolic syndrome. They can also help in the recovery of patients with pre-diabetes through changes in their harmful metabolism. Pistachios are recommended as part of a healthy diet for human health and prevention of chronic non-infectious diseases."

What the scientific community says

"Pistachios are a nutrient-rich source of good quality plant protein, commonly consumed as a snack or minimally processed ingredient."

"Pistachios are one of the lowest-calorie nuts, which means that people can enjoy the health benefits of nuts while staying more easily within their daily calorie limits."

"Pistachios, due to their nutrients, have a positive impact on human health, "including the cardiovascular system, blood lipids and blood pressure."

Walnuts, pistachios and dried fruits help combat extra kilos

A recent American study of over 13,000 people published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that...

people who regularly eat low doses of nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, almonds and cashews are much less likely to fall ill with some serious diseases and are able to keep their body weight under control.

The study pointed out that "in particular, those who consumed walnuts showed a lower prevalence of four risk factors related to metabolic syndromes, such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol."