Effects of pistachios on the lipid/lipoprotein profile, glycemic control, inflammation, and endothelial function in type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial.

Sauder KA, McCrea CE, Ulbrecht JS, Kris-Etherton PM, West SG.

This study examined the effects of daily pistachio consumption on the lipid/lipoprotein profile, glycemic control, markers of inflammation, and endothelial function in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Adults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes participated in a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding study. After a 2-week run-in period, participants consumed nutritionally-adequate diets with pistachios or without pistachios for 4 weeks each, separated by a 2-week washout. Researchers assessed fasting lipids/lipoproteins, glycemic measures, inflammatory markers, and endothelial function after each diet period.

Results showed total cholesterol and the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol were significantly lower following the pistachio diet compared to the control diet, and triglycerides were significantly lower following the pistachio diet compared to the control diet. Researchers concluded that daily pistachio consumption can improve some cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes.