Research

Video: Eating pistachios lowers cholesterol, boosts antioxidants, more

University Park, Pa. -- Pistachio nuts, eaten as part of a healthy diet, can increase the levels of antioxidants in the blood of adults with high cholesterol, according to an international team of nutritional scientists including Penny Kris-Etherton, distinguished professor of nutrition at Penn State.

"Our previous study showed the benefits of pistachios in lowering lipids and lipoproteins, which are a risk factor for heart disease," said Kris-Etherton. "This new study shows an additional effect of pistachios so now there are multiple health benefits of eating pistachios."

Other researchers in the study include Sheila West, associate professor of biobehavioral health, Penn State; Sarah Gebauer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Md. and Colin D. Kay, lecturer, University of East Anglia. The researchers' work is published in the May 20 issue of the Journal of Nutrition.

Click here to hear Kris-Etherton talk about her research on the health benefits of pistachios.

To read more about the researchers' findings, visit http://live.psu.edu/story/46857 online.
 

A 1.5-ounce serving of pistachios -- about a handful -- as part of a healthy diet can benefit your heart. Click on the image to watch a video explaining the health benefits of pistachios. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Pistachio nuts, eaten as part of a healthy diet, can increase the levels of antioxidants in the blood of adults with high cholesterol, according to Penny Kris-Etherton, Penn State distinguished professor of nutrition, along with an international team of nutritional scientists. Previous research has shown that pistachios also lower lipids and lipoproteins, which benefits heart health. 

Last Updated April 18, 2011

Contact