Science

Pistachios Lower Blood Pressure and Blood Cholesterol

Pistachios are packed with antioxidants, phytosterols, and healthy fats. Eating around 1.5 ounces  of pistachios a day can lower both blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, studies have found pistachios reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. Pistachios are also high in vitamins A and E, which help to reduce inflammation and relax blood vessels. Researcher Sheila G. West, PhD said that individuals who experience high blood pressure in response to stressful events are at high risk for cardiovascular complications. Dr. West conducted a randomized control study of 28 individuals with high cholesterol levels and found that those individuals who ate just 1.5 ounces of pistachios a day experienced a decrease in stress-induced blood pressure elevations. According to Dr. Oz, just 1/3 cup of pistachios a day can help to reduce blood cholesterol. According to the latest research, achieving healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels may be as simple as adding these 8 foods to your diet.