The Impact of Pistachio Consumption on Blood Lipid Profile: A Literature Review.

London HA, Pawlak R, Colby SE, Wall-Bassett E, Sira N. 

Am J Lifestyle Medicine. 2013; 7(4)

Studies showed that nut consumption is associated with a reduced risk in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and morbidity and an improvement in the modifiable CVD risk factors. Our objective was to review studies that reported the effect of pistachios intake on blood lipid profile. A PUBMED and Loma Linda University Nut Library database search was conducted to identify relevant studies. Eight relevant studies were identified and included in the review. With a few exceptions, the results showed a consistent improvement in serum lipid profile, improving all cholesterol fractions. With one exception, all studies reported a large decrease in the mean LDL-cholesterol ranging from 7.6 to 9.7% of the baseline level. In four of the seven studies that reported a change in HDL-cholesterol level, the mean HDL-cholesterol increased after the intervention. In all but one studies that reported the change in TG, the post-test values were reduced. The majority of the studies reported statistically significant reduction in the mean TC and LDL-cholesterol fractions. Similarly, all studies that reported a change in TC/HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratios reported a statistically significant improvement. Adding pistachios to a typical diet of normo and hypercholesterolemic individuals have a beneficial effect on blood lipid profile.