Nutrition research unveiled this week shows pistachios are smart for...(stachio industry has committed to learni...)

In recent years, there has been other promising research showing the beneficial effects of consuming pistachios as part of a daily diet. The larger Penn State study that was originally released last spring and presented again in March 2008 showed that eating pistachios may reduce your bodys response to the stresses of everyday life. The Penn State study entitled, Pistachios Reduce Blood Pressure and Vascular Responses to Acute Stress in Healthy Adults, led by nutrition scientist Dr. Sheila G. West, found that lifestyle changes, along with a healthy diet and exercise, can lessen the biological reactions to stress. Pistachios, when eaten in both 3 ounce and 1.5 ounce servings, resulted in study participants experiencing a significant reduction of the biological effects of acute stress. During the diets supplemented with pistachios, subjects had lower blood pressure during stress. This study was relevant because lowering blood pressure may reduce the risk for stroke and heart disease.

The University of Toronto has also studied the effects of pistachios on diabetes another major health issue in America today affecting 20.8 million children and adults or 7 percent of the U.S. population (according to the American Diabetes Association). Glycemic Response of Pistachios A Dose Response Study and Effect of Pistachios Consumed with Different Common Carbohydrate Foods on Postprandial Glycemia, led by University of Torontos Dr. Cyril Kendall and Dr. David Jenkins, found that pistachios, when eaten with some common high-carbohydrate foods, may actually slow the absorption of carbohydrates into the body, resulting in a lower than expected blood sugar level. Certain carbohydrates elevate blood sugar levels more quickly than foods that contain higher levels of protein, fiber and monounsaturated
'/>"/>