Effect of pistachio nuts on serum lipid levels in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Edwards K, Kwaw I, Matud J, Kurtz I.
J Am Coll Nutr. 1999; 18(3):229-32.
The goal of the study was to determine whether substituting 20% of the daily caloric intake in the form of pistachios will improve the lipid profiles of humans with primary, moderate hypercholesterolemia.
In the study, 4 men (ages 41-53) and 6 women (ages 28-64) with a blood cholesterol level over 210 mg/dl ate 20% of their daily calorie intake per day as pistachio nuts for 3 weeks. After three weeks, there was a decrease in total cholesterol, an increase in HDL, a decrease in the total cholesterol/HDL ratio and a decrease in the LDL/HDL ratio.
The authors conclude that eating pistachios instead of other dietary fat calories may improve blood lipid levels, and potentially decrease heart disease risk.