Scientists have found that a handful of pistachios a day can minimize a person’s chances of developing heart disease. The researchers of the new study believe that pistachios trim down levels of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, the "bad" cholesterol in the blood. According to them, these nuts contain an antioxidant, called lutein, which slashes the growth of bad cholesterol in the arteries.
The new study, carried out by Dr Sarah K. Gebauer and colleagues from Integrative Biosciences and the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Biobehavioral Health Department at the Pennsylvania State University in the US, was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Gebauer and colleagues reached their conclusion after studying 28 people (10 men and 18 women) whose LDL cholesterol level was higher than the optimal range.
Study subjects with "borderline high" cholesterol levels were first given a diet rich in cheese, oil and butter. Then they spent a month on a low-fat diet without pistachios, another month on a healthy diet that included one daily serving of pistachio nuts, and switched to a similar diet with two daily servings of pistachios in the third month, with two-week break between each type of diet.
The researchers found that bad cholesterol levels of the participants were dropped by 12% when they consumed two daily servings of pistachios. And, the diet with two pistachio servings a day significantly slashed total cholesterol by 8%.
"Our study has shown that pistachios, eaten with a heart-healthy diet, may decrease a person's CVD (cardio-vasculardefine disease) risk profile" said distinguished Professor Penny Kris-Etherton, PhD, the co-investigator of the study.
However, nutritionists warn that excessive consumption of pistachios may lead to excess weight, which is not good for the heart. Besides being the greater source of protein like all other nuts, Pistachios are also rich in fibre and healthy fats.
The pistachio nut, one of the oldest edible nuts on the planet, is believed to have originated in the Middle East where it grew wild for thousands of years. Pistachio nuts are now available across the globe in roasted, salted, shelled and unsalted forms. Health experts suggest that it is best to eat unsalted rather than salted pistachios as too much salt can raise blood pressure. However, both types should have the same effect on cholesterol.
Cholesterol is required to build and maintain cell membranes in the human body. It is a fatty substance made naturally by the body and also found in many foods. Minimally soluble in water, Cholesterol cannot dissolve in water and thus, travels in the water-based bloodstream.
Bifurcated into categories, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or the “bad Cholesterol” promotes atheroma formation in the walls of arteries which is the principal cause of coronary heart disease and strokes. In contrast, HDL (High density lipoprotein) or the “good Cholesterol” promotes removal of atheroma from arteries.
According to the American Heart Association, one can raise HDL and lower LDL cholesterol by exercising regularly, removing trans fats from the diet, minimizing the intake of all fats, particularly saturated fats, and consuming monounsaturated fats like olive, canola and peanut oils.
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