Antioxidant-rich foods are regularly encouraged as part of a healthy lifestyle. Research now suggests that a diet high in antioxidants may even help to reduce the risk of death. While certain fruits and vegetables are often thought of as high-antioxidant foods, a new study conducted by Cornell University and published in the journal Nutrients, has produced surprising results. Pistachios have a very high antioxidant capacity; among the highest when compared to values reported in research of many foods commonly known for their antioxidant capacity, such as blueberries, pomegranates, cherries, and beets.
"We were excited to see that the antioxidant capacity of pistachios measured so high in our study," said Dr. Rui Hai Liu, Professor of Food Science at Cornell University. He further added, "When compared to values reported in research for other common, high-antioxidant foods using the same methods, we see the antioxidant activity of pistachios is higher than that of foods often thought of as antioxidant powerhouses including blueberries, cherries, and beets. We believe the high antioxidant activity of pistachios may be due to the unique compounds in pistachios including vitamin E, carotenoids, phenolics and flavonoids. The combination or interaction of these beneficial antioxidants, bioactive compounds, along with other nutrients in pistachios, is likely what contributes to the many health benefits we have seen in pistachio studies from recent years."
Include more of these nuts in your diet
Normal metabolisms of daily life - everything from eating, breathing, and exercising to the toxins we encounter in the environment - can generate free radicals in the body. Free radicals attack healthy body cells and this damage is thought to contribute to inflammation and aging in addition to chronic health conditions, including heart disease and cancer. Health professionals recommend antioxidants from food sources to help protect healthy cells from free radical damage in the body.
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Additional findings from the study show that pistachios have a wide variety of important phytochemicals including different members of the vitamin E family, carotenoids, phenolics and flavonoids. Pistachio phytochemical extracts showed potent antiproliferative activities against human breast, liver and colon cancer cells in vitro with exceptionally high activity seen against the human breast cancer cells. Pistachio phytochemical extracts were shown to inhibit cancer growth in all three cancer cells (breast, liver and colon) without causing cytotoxicity to the cells.
The health benefits of pistachios are many
"The health benefits of pistachios have been studied over the past 20 years and we are excited to dig further into the specific makeup of pistachios that may be contributing to overall health," notes Amber Wilson, MS, RD, Director of Nutrition Research and Communication for American Pistachio Growers. "The results of this study confirm the high antioxidant potential of pistachios, which is great news for those looking to add more antioxidant whole foods to their diet."
Pistachios used in the Cornell study were grown in California and have a different nutritional profile than those grown in other countries. Pistachios grown in the U.S. are also a plant-based source of complete protein. One serving of pistachios (1 oz or 49 kernels) is an excellent source of copper and a good source of protein, fiber, vitamin B6, phosphorus and thiamin.
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