Pistachios and Other Nuts Lower Cholesterol

Increased cholesterol levels are very dangerous for the circulatory system and the heart, experts warn, and people should take active measures to ensure that they stay within reasonable limits. A new report would seem to suggest that one easy way of doing this is by introducing pistachios and other types of nuts into your diet. According to the scientific paper, consuming these products lowers both total and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels, as well as the level of triglycerides in the body, LiveScience reports.

The new work adds to an increasing body of evidence suggesting that nuts have the ability to avert and prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases. Detailed results of the investigation appear in a recent issue of the esteemed scientific journal Archives of Internal Medicine. The study, which was funded by the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation, was conducted by researchers at the Loma Linda University School of Public Health, who were led by expert Joan Sabate.

“Enjoying a handful or two of in-shell pistachios may provide significant heart health benefits. They are known to also improve blood vessel function, blood sugar control, act as potent antioxidant and offer weight management benefits, all of which are important for improving heart health,” says the former president of the American Dietetic Association, Martin Yadrick. The recent investigation was in fact a review of existing literature in the field, covering 25 clinical trials, featuring 600 test participants, in seven countries. The research included people aged between 19 and 86, who all ate between 1 and 4.75 ounces of various types of nuts per day.

In the subgroup that had elevated triglycerides levels at the beginning of the trials, eating about 67 grams of nuts per day prompted a 10.2 percent reduction in these levels. Total and LDL cholesterol levels were also reduced considerably, by 5.1 and 7.4 percent, respectively, the team says. Diet experts believe that people should introduce more nuts into their diets, so as to prevent the emergence of cardiovascular diseases. The advice should be closely followed by those who have a history of such conditions in their family, or who are genetically-predisposed to experiencing heart problems.