Pistachios suppress glycemic response

Clinical study data presented at the 2007 Experimental Biology Conference, held in Washington DC, suggests that suppressing the glycemic response of high carbohydrate foods may be part of the mechanism by which pistachios contribute to cardiovascular health and to the prevention and control of diabetes.

Cyril Kendall, lead researcher of the study and a professor in the University of Toronto's Department of Nutritional Sciences, said: "we know that controlling blood glucose levels is important for preventing and controlling diabetes and recent data indicate that it is also important in preventing heart disease. Controlling post-meal fluctuations in glucose appears to be particularly important. Pistachios have been shown to decrease risk factors for heart disease, however, little has been known about the specific effects of pistachios on blood glucose until now."

In the study, 10 healthy pre-fasted adults were given a one-, two- or three-ounce serving of pistachios alone or with a slice of white bread, and blood sugar levels were measured over two hours. The findings suggest that pistachios with a carbohydrate-rich meal significantly lowered blood glucose response. As consumption of pistachios increased, the blood sugar lowering response was enhanced. In addition, when pistachios were consumed alone, the rise in blood glucose was minimal.