Setton Farms

Weight Management

In a recent study presented at the 2009 American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference and Exposition (FNCE), researchers looked at the association of tree nut (including pistachios) consumption with nutrient intake, dietary adequacy, health parameters and the prevalence of risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

Tree nut consumption was associated with a higher overall diet quality score, improved nutrient intakes, lower body weight measures and lower prevalence of health risks. The study looked at 13,292 men and women (19+ years) participating in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Intake was from 24-hour recall data, and tree nut consumers were defined as those who consumed more than ¼ ounce per day.

The results showed that in addition to lower body weights, tree nut consumers had higher intakes of calories and total fat but less saturated fat than non-consumers. Tree nut consumers also had greater intakes of fiber, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and potassium (key shortfall nutrients in U.S. adults) compared to non-consumers, and they consumed less sodium.