Characteristics of tree nut, peanut, and seed consumption in the eastern Mediterranean region

Abstract

Background Nuts and seeds are among the most common causes of food allergy (FA), and consumption differences across cultures and geographic regions are thought to account for the diversity of these allergies. Methods Caregivers of infants (age 12–24 months) with or without FA were questioned in face-to-face interviews to identify the nut and seed consumption practices in the household, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and early childhood. Results Of the 171 infants (median age: 17.3 months) included in the study, 75 were healthy and 96 had FA. More than two-thirds of the infants in the whole group started to be fed with walnuts, sesame/tahini, hazelnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds. The percentages of healthy infants who were not fed with tree nuts, seeds, and peanuts were 4%, 4%, and 49.3%, respectively, for the healthy infants, and 11.8%, 11.8%, and 67.8% for those with FA. In the FA group, sesame and peanut consumption was initiated at a younger age, and walnut, hazelnut, and almond consumption at an older age compared to the healthy infants ( p < 0.05 for each). Walnuts and sesame/tahini were the most consumed nuts at home, and peanuts and pumpkin seeds were the least consumed. Mothers reported that they increased tree nut consumption during pregnancy due to their positive effect on health and sesame/tahini consumption during breastfeeding to increase breast milk, respectively. Conclusion The uniqueness of Turkish culinary culture is characterized by the frequent consumption of tree nuts and seeds, with further increases during pregnancy/lactation and early introduction to the diet of infants.