NUTRITION BITES

GOING NUTS

Hawke’s Bay may have almond trees coming its way, according to research conducted by Plant & Food Research and AgFirst. Plant & Food Research scientist Ken Breen says the Heretaunga Plains and Tairāwhiti have the right combination of rainfall and other factors such as sufficient winter chill, warm temperatures for pollination and crop maturation, and good soil and terrain. More research is needed to determine the best varieties and management systems to ensure new almond orchards are productive and tailored to the New Zealand environment.

PREGNANCY DIET

A preconception and early-pregnancy diet that contains lots of fruit, vegetables, seafood, dairy, eggs and grain may be associated with reducing risk of miscarriage. Researchers at the University of Birmingham analysed women’s eating habits in the months before and shortly after conceiving a baby to see whether there was evidence of association with a lower or higher chance of miscarriage. The research review found high intake of fruit may be associated with a 61% reduction in miscarriage risk compared with low fruit consumption. The association for high vegetable intake was estimated at 41%, for dairy 37%, for grains 33% and for seafood and eggs 19%.

BRAIN FERMENT

Fermented foods are an early frontrunner in ongoing Irish research into which foods from around the world have the most positive effects on brain health. Research team member Ramya Balasubramanian says out of 200 fermented foods, almost all showed some potential to improve gut and brain health. She hopes people will utilise the preliminary results and consider including fermented foods in their diet as a natural way of supporting mental health and general wellbeing. – Listener staff