Pistachio nuts protect the heart against disease

Experts already consider nuts to be rich in the nutrients that reduce hardening of the arteries, one of the main causes of heart attacks and strokes and they are regarded as a desirable part of a healthy diet.

Now new research says just three ounces of pistachio nuts a day could also protect against heart disease.

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University say pistachio nuts significantly lower the risk of heart disease and appear to lower cholesterol and keep arteries healthy.

In a study led by Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton a group of volunteers were asked to supplement a lowfat diet with pistachios; some ate 1.5 ounces of the nuts a day, while others had double that amount, while a third group did not eat any pistachios.

The researchers found that after just a month, cholesterol levels were significantly lower among the pistachio-eaters and those who ate the most nuts experienced the biggest decrease in cholesterol.

The team say eating three ounces of pistachios a day cut cholesterol levels by 8.4 per cent, with LDL or 'bad' cholesterol dropping by 11.6 per cent.

Dr. Kris-Etherton says the study has shown that pistachios, eaten with a healthy heart diet, may decrease a person's cardiovascular disease risk profile.

Pistachios are known to be particularly rich in an antioxidant called lutein, usually found in green leafy vegetables and brightly coloured fruit; lutein helps prevent cholesterol from clogging up arteries.

Experts advise consumers to eat unsalted rather than salted pistachios as too much salt can raise blood pressure.