Shell out for health

Previous studies show how nuts can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as coronary heart disease and stroke. A new study shows how patients with high cholesterol levels, given one or two handfuls of pistachio nuts each day for four weeks, experienced a significant drop in their cholesterol levels. Just three ounces of pistachios per day reduced the total cholesterol by 8.4 per cent and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called ‘bad cholesterol’ by 11.6 per cent. Pistachios are a good source of antioxidants and contain more lutein (normally found in dark leafy vegetables), beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A) and gamma tocopherol (the major form of vitamin E) than other nuts. As part of healthy diet, this study shows that pistachios may reduce the risk of CVD.

_{Sheridan, M.J., Cooper, J.N., Erario, M. and Cheifetz, C.E. 2007. Pistachio nut consumption and serum lipid levels. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 26 (2) 141-148.}