Health benefits of pistachios consumption.
Author information
- 1
- a Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.
- 2
- b Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri” , Palermo , Italy.
Abstract
The health benefits of nuts, mainly in relation to the improvement of dysmetabolic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and the related cardiovascular diseases, have been widely demonstrated. Compared to other nuts, pistachios have a lower fat and caloric content, and contain the highest levels of unsaturated fatty acids, potassium, γ-tocopherol, phytosterols and xanthophyll carotenoids, all substances that are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. This variety of nutrients contributes to the growing body of evidence that the consumption of pistachios improves health, leading to a greater potential of healthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, glycemic control, and endothelial function. The present review examines the nutrients and phytochemicals present in pistachios as well as the potential health benefits of including pistachios in a diet.
KEYWORDS:
Pistachio; anti-inflammatory activity; metabolic syndrome; polyphenols; unsaturated fatty acids
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