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LOOSE WOMEN: DR HILARY DISCUSSES HOW TO LIVE LONGER There are many preconditions that must be met to live a long life. Staving off high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar
levels and obesity are some of the most important. All of the above contribute to heart disease, a general term that includes conditions that narrow or block blood vessels. Advertisement
Heart disease is a major killer in the UK but certain dietary items can fend off the markers that contribute to it. In fact, pistachio nuts have been shown to offer protection against these
precursors. Take high blood pressure and cholesterol first. Both high blood pressure and cholesterol (a waxy substance found in your blood) produce a similarly pernicious effect - they
restrict the supply of blood flowing through your arteries, thereby raising your risk of heart disease. Pistachios have been shown to lower blood cholesterol and improve blood pressure, thus
lowering your risk of heart disease. READ MORE: How to live longer - the dinner food to lower your risk of heart disease and early death RELATED ARTICLES We use your sign-up to provide
content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any
time. Read our Privacy Policy Thank you for subscribing. BLOOD SUGAR BENEFITS Despite having a higher carb content than most nuts, pistachios have a low glycemic index, meaning they
don't cause large blood sugar spikes. This is significant because researchers have found that, among other things, high blood sugar causes stronger contraction of blood vessels. One
study showed that when two ounces (56 grams) of pistachios were added to a carb-rich diet, healthy individuals’ blood sugar response after a meal was reduced by 20 to 30 percent. In another
12-week study, individuals with type 2 diabetes showed a nine percent reduction in fasting blood sugar after eating 0.9 ounces (25 grams) of pistachios as a snack twice per day. How to live
longer: Pistachios boast blood sugar-lowering properties (Image: Getty Images) Fasting blood sugar is a test to determine how much glucose (sugar) is in a blood sample after an overnight
fast. In addition to being rich in fiber and healthy fats, pistachio nuts are rich in antioxidants, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds, all of which are beneficial for blood sugar control.
Finally, eating pistachios has produced favourable results for weight loss. According to an article published in Vascular Health and Risk Management, the mechanisms through which obesity
increases heart disease risk involve changes in body composition that can affect the dynamics of blood flow and alters heart structure. RELATED ARTICLES How to live longer: Pistachios have
been shown to aid weight loss (Image: Getty Images) In one 12-week weight loss program, those who ate 1.9 ounces (53 grams) of pistachios per day as an afternoon snack had twice the
reduction in body mass index, compared with those who ate two ounces (56 grams) of pretzels per day. Moreover, another 24-week study in individuals with excess weight showed that those who
consumed 20 percent of calories from pistachios lost 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) more from their waistlines than those who did not eat pistachios. Advertisement Research suggests one factor possibly
contributing to pistachios' weight loss properties is that their fat content might not be fully absorbed. What's more, shelled pistachios are good for mindful eating, as shelling
the nuts takes time and slows the rate of eating. The leftover shells also give you a visual clue of how many nuts you have eaten, research suggests. RELATED ARTICLES Share Article