The effects of consuming a pistachio snack versus a refined carbohydrate snack on blood lipids, blood glucose, body weight, and body composition in young, healthy adults

Abstract

A variety of nuts have been well‐established to produce lipid‐lowering effects in hyperlipidemic and/or obese subjects. Fewer studies have investigated the effects of nut consumption in young, healthy adults. The objective of this parallel‐arm study was to determine if pistachio nut snack consumption would favorably affect plasma lipid profiles, food intake, body weight, and body composition in a non‐obese, normolipidemic population compared to a refined carbohydrate snack. Forty‐one participants with a mean age of 23.0 ± 3.4 years, a mean BMI 23.1 ± 3.7 kg/m2, and mean percent body fat of 25.1 ± 7.8% were divided into two groups consuming isoenergetic (150 kcal) snacks of either 26.5 g pistachios (n=20) or 38.5 g pretzels (n=21), twice daily. After 3 weeks, body weight and percent body fat were significantly decreased in the pistachio snack group (P=.014 and P=.026, respectively). No significant differences were detected within or between groups for plasma total cholesterol, LDL‐c, HDL‐c, triglycerides or blood glucose (P>.05), but a trend towards a significant increase in serum triglycerides in the pretzel snack group (P=.056) was detected. These results suggest that short‐term consumption of a pistachio nut snack can decrease body weight and fatness as compared to a refined carbohydrate snack in young, healthy adults. Partial funding support by Paramount Farms, Inc.