A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study to Assess Effects of a Daily Pistachio (Pistacia Vera) Afternoon Snack on Next-Meal Energy Intake, Satiety, and Anthropometry in French Women.

Carughi A, Bellisle F, Dougkas A, Giboreau A, Feeney MJ, Higgs J.

Nutrients. 2019;11(4):767. Published 2019 Apr 2.

This four-week intervention study investigated the effect of adding pistachios as an afternoon snack in the workplace or at home on satiety, energy and nutrient intake, body weight and composition. Participants included 60 healthy, sedentary French women ages 18-50 randomized into an Experimental Group receiving 56 g of California-grown pistachios and a Control Group receiving 56 g of a cheese aperitif biscuit (matched to provide about 315 kcal).

Adding a daily snack of 315 kcal had no negative impact on body weight and composition. There was a trend towards a reduction in waist size for those eating pistachios. There were no differences in energy intake or measures of satiety between women eating pistachios or biscuits, perhaps because the snacks were closely matched for protein and energy. However, women who consumed pistachios had a higher intake of selected nutrients.