Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

The impact of pistachio intake alone or in combination with high-carbohydrate foods on post-prandial glycemia

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

Dietary strategies that reduce post-prandial glycemia are important in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD). This may be achieved by addition of high-quality protein and fat contained in pistachio nuts, to carbohydrate-containing foods or meals.

Subjects/Methods:

A total of 10 healthy volunteers (3 males, 7 females); aged 48.3±6.4 years; Body mass index (BMI) 28.0±4.8 kg/m2 participated in two studies. Study 1 assessed the dose-response effect of 28, 56 and 84 g pistachios consumed alone or co-ingested with white bread (50 g available carbohydrate); Study 2 assessed the effective dose (56 g) of pistachios on post-prandial glycemia consumed with different commonly consumed carbohydrate foods (50 g available carbohydrate). Relative glycemic responses (RGRs) of study meals compared with white bread, were assessed over the 2 h post-prandial period.

Results:

The RGRs of pistachios consumed alone expressed as a percentage of white bread (100%) were: 28 g (5.7±1.8%); 56 g (3.8±1.8%); 84 g (9.3±3.2%), P<0.001. Adding pistachios to white bread resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the RGR of the composite meal; 28 g (89.1±6.0, P=0.100); 56 g (67.3±9.8, P=0.009); 84 g (51.5±7.5, P<0.001). Addition of 56 g pistachios to carbohydrate foods significantly reduced the RGR: parboiled rice (72.5±6.0) versus rice and pistachios (58.7±5.1) (P=0.031); pasta (94.8±11.4) versus pasta and pistachios (56.4±5.0) (P=0.025); whereas for mashed potatoes (109.0±6.6) versus potatoes and pistachios, (87.4±8.0) (P=0.063) the results approached significance.

Conclusions:

Pistachios consumed alone had a minimal effect on post-prandial glycemia and when taken with a carbohydrate meal attenuated the RGR. The beneficial effects of pistachios on post-prandial glycemia could, therefore, be part of the mechanism by which nuts reduce the risk of diabetes and CHD.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akbar DH (2003). Sub-optimal postprandial blood glucose level in diabetics attending the outpatient clinic of a University Hospital. Saudi Med J 24, 1109–1112.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Albert CM, Gaziano JM, Willett WC, Manson JE (2002). Nut consumption and decreased risk of sudden cardiac death in the Physician's Health Study. Arch Intern Med 162, 1382–1387.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Diabetes Association (ADA) (2007). Nutrition recommendations and interventions for diabetes: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care 30 (Suppl 1), S48–S65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson FS, Foster-Powell K, Brand-Miller JC (2008). International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2008. Diabetes Care 31, 2281–2283.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Banel DK, Hu FB (2009). Effects of walnut consumption on blood lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr 90, 56–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Berry SE, Tydeman EA, Lewis HB, Phalora R, Rosborough J, Picout DR et al. (2008). Manipulation of lipid bioaccessibility of almond seeds influences postprandial lipemia in healthy human subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 88, 922–929.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bonora E, Corrao G, Bagnardi V, Ceriello A, Comaschi M, Montanari P et al. (2006). Prevalence and correlates of post-prandial hyperglycaemia in a large sample of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetologia 49, 846–854.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Casas-Agustench P, Lopez-Uriarte P, Bullo M, Ros E, Cabre-Vila JJ, Salas-Salvado J (2011). Effects of one serving of mixed nuts on serum lipids, insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in patients with the metabolic syndrome. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 21, 126–135.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ceriello A, Quagliaro L, Piconi L, Assaloni R, Da Ros R, Maier A et al. (2004). Effect of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia on circulating adhesion molecules and oxidative stress generation and the possible role of simvastatin treatment. Diabetes 53, 701–710.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards K, Kwaw I, Matud J, Kurtz I (1999). Effect of pistachio nuts on serum lipid levels in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia. J Am Coll Nutr 18, 229–232.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellsworth JL, Kushi LH, Folsom AR (2001). Frequent nut intake and risk of death from coronary heart disease and all causes in postmenopausal women: the Iowa Women's Health Study. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 11, 372–377.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Estruch R, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Corella D, Salas-Salvado J, Ruiz-Gutierrez V, Covas MI et al. (2006). Effects of a Mediterranean-style diet on cardiovascular risk factors: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 145, 1–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser GE, Sabate J, Beeson WL, Strahan TM (1992). A possible protective effect of nut consumption on risk of coronary heart disease. The Adventist Health Study. Arch Intern Med 152, 1416–1424.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gebauer SK, West SG, Kay CD, Alaupovic P, Bagshaw D, Kris-Etherton PM (2008). Effects of pistachios on cardiovascular disease risk factors and potential mechanisms of action: a dose-response study. Am J Clin Nutr 88, 651–659.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Griel AE, Kris-Etherton PM (2006). Tree nuts and the lipid profile: a review of clinical studies. Br J Nutr 96 (Suppl 2), S68–S78.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henry CJ, Lightowler HJ, Newens KJ, Pata N (2008). The influence of adding fats of varying saturation on the glycaemic response of white bread. Int J Food Sci Nutr 59, 61–69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hu FB, Stampfer MJ, Manson JE, Rimm EB, Colditz GA, Rosner BA et al. (1998). Frequent nut consumption and risk of coronary heart disease in women: prospective cohort study. BMJ 317, 1341–1345.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hunt JN, Stubbs DF (1975). The volume and energy content of meals as determinants of gastric emptying. J Physiol 245, 209–225.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • International Diabetes Federation (2007). Guideline for Management of Postmeal Glucose. International Diabetes Federation: Brussels, Belgium.

  • Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Josse AR, Salvatore S, Brighenti F, Augustin LS et al. (2006). Almonds decrease postprandial glycemia, insulinemia, and oxidative damage in healthy individuals. J Nutr 136, 2987–2992.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Marchie A, Parker TL, Connelly PW, Qian W et al. (2002). Dose response of almonds on coronary heart disease risk factors: blood lipids, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, and pulmonary nitric oxide: a randomized, controlled, crossover trial. Circulation 106, 1327–1332.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang R, Jacobs Jr DR, Mayer-Davis E, Szklo M, Herrington D, Jenny NS et al. (2006). Nut and seed consumption and inflammatory markers in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis. Am J Epidemiol 163, 222–231.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang R, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Liu S, Willett WC, Hu FB (2002). Nut and peanut butter consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in women. JAMA 288, 2554–2560.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston CS, Buller AJ (2005). Vinegar and peanut products as complementary foods to reduce postprandial glycemia. J Am Diet Assoc 105, 1939–1942.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Josse AR, Kendall CW, Augustin LS, Ellis PR, Jenkins DJ (2007). Almonds and postprandial glycemia—a dose-response study. Metabolism 56, 400–404.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kay CD, Gebauer SK, West SG, Kris-Etherton PM (2010). Pistachios increase serum antioxidants and lower serum oxidized-LDL in hypercholesterolemic adults. J Nutr 140, 1093–1098.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kawano H, Motoyama T, Hirashima O, Hirai N, Miyao Y, Sakamoto T et al. (1999). Hyperglycemia rapidly suppresses flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation of brachial artery. J Am Coll Cardiol 34, 146–154.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kocyigit A, Koylu AA, Keles H (2006). Effects of pistachio nuts consumption on plasma lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy volunteers. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 16, 202–209.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kris-Etherton PM, Zhao G, Binkoski AE, Coval SM, Etherton TD (2001). The effects of nuts on coronary heart disease risk. Nutr Rev 59, 103–111.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levitan EB, Song Y, Ford ES, Liu S (2004). Is nondiabetic hyperglycemia a risk factor for cardiovascular disease? A meta-analysis of prospective studies. Arch Intern Med 164, 2147–2155.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li TY, Brennan AM, Wedick NM, Mantzoros C, Rifai N, Hu FB (2009). Regular consumption of nuts is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in women with type 2 diabetes. J Nutr 139, 1333–1338.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Liu S, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Hu FB, Franz M, Sampson L et al. (2000). A prospective study of dietary glycemic load, carbohydrate intake, and risk of coronary heart disease in US women. Am J Clin Nutr 71, 1455–1461.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lovejoy JC, Most MM, Lefevre M, Greenway FL, Rood JC (2002). Effect of diets enriched in almonds on insulin action and serum lipids in adults with normal glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr 76, 1000–1006.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ma Y, Njike VY, Millet J, Dutta S, Doughty K, Treu JA et al. (2010). Effects of walnut consumption on endothelial function in type 2 diabetic subjects: a randomized controlled crossover trial. Diabetes Care 33, 227–232.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McMillan-Price J, Petocz P, Atkinson F, O’Neill K, Samman S, Steinbeck K et al. (2006). Comparison of 4 diets of varying glycemic load on weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction in overweight and obese young adults: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med 166, 1466–1475.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mensink RP, Katan MB (1992). Effect of dietary fatty acids on serum lipids and lipoproteins. A meta-analysis of 27 trials. Arterioscler Thromb 12, 911–919.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mente A, de Koning L, Shannon HS, Anand SS (2009). A systematic review of the evidence supporting a causal link between dietary factors and coronary heart disease. Arch Intern Med 169, 659–669.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mukuddem-Petersen J, Stonehouse Oosthuizen W, Jerling JC, Hanekom SM, White Z (2007). Effects of a high walnut and high cashew nut diet on selected markers of the metabolic syndrome: a controlled feeding trial. Br J Nutr 97, 1144–1153.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Opperman AM, Venter CS, Oosthuizen W, Thompson RL, Vorster HH (2004). Meta-analysis of the health effects of using the glycaemic index in meal planning. Br J Nutr 92, 367–381.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parker ED, Harnack LJ, Folsom AR (2003). Nut consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes. JAMA 290, 38–39;author reply 39–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peracchi M, Gebbia C, Ogliari C, Fraquelli M, Vigano R, Baldassarri A et al. (2000). Influence of caloric intake on gastric emptying of solids assessed by 13C-octanoic acid breath test. Scand J Gastroenterol 35, 814–818.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ros E (2009). Nuts and novel biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr 89, 1649S–1656S.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salmeron J, Ascherio A, Rimm EB, Colditz GA, Spiegelman D, Jenkins DJ et al. (1997a). Dietary fiber, glycemic load, and risk of NIDDM in men. Diabetes Care 20, 545–550.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salmeron J, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Wing AL, Willett WC (1997b). Dietary fiber, glycemic load, and risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in women. JAMA 277, 472–477.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sari I, Baltaci Y, Bagci C, Davutoglu V, Erel O, Celik H et al. (2010). Effect of pistachio diet on lipid parameters, endothelial function, inflammation, and oxidative status: a prospective study. Nutrition 26, 399–404.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scott LW, Balasubramanyam A, Kimball KT, Aherns AK, Fordis Jr CM, Ballantyne CM (2003). Long-term, randomized clinical trial of two diets in the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 26, 2481–2482.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sheridan MJ, Cooper JN, Erario M, Cheifetz CE (2007). Pistachio nut consumption and serum lipid levels. J Am Coll Nutr 26, 141–148.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sorkin JD, Muller DC, Fleg JL, Andres R (2005). The relation of fasting and 2-h postchallenge plasma glucose concentrations to mortality: data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging with a critical review of the literature. Diabetes Care 28, 2626–2632.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tapsell LC, Batterham MJ, Teuss G, Tan SY, Dalton S, Quick CJ et al. (2009). Long-term effects of increased dietary polyunsaturated fat from walnuts on metabolic parameters in type II diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr 63, 1008–1015.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tapsell LC, Gillen LJ, Patch CS, Batterham M, Owen A, Bare M et al. (2004). Including walnuts in a low-fat/modified-fat diet improves HDL cholesterol-to-total cholesterol ratios in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 27, 2777–2783.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams SB, Goldfine AB, Timimi FK, Ting HH, Roddy MA, Simonson DC et al. (1998). Acute hyperglycemia attenuates endothelium-dependent vasodilation in humans in vivo. Circulation 97, 1695–1701.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolever TM, Yang M, Zeng XY, Atkinson F, Brand-Miller JC (2006). Food glycemic index, as given in glycemic index tables, is a significant determinant of glycemic responses elicited by composite breakfast meals. Am J Clin Nutr 83, 1306–1312.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Western Pistachio Association, Fresno, CA, USA for provision of the pistachios and for funding for additional statistics. This work was supported by the Western Pistachio Association, Fresno, CA, USA and the California Pistachio Commission. DJAJ is funded by the Federal Government of Canada as a Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Metabolism.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C W C Kendall.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

David Jenkins has served on the Scientific Advisory Board of Loblaw Brands Ltd, Sanitarium, Herbalife International, Nutritional Fundamentals for Health, Pacific Health Laboratories, Metagenics/MetaProteomics, Bayer Consumer Care, Almond Board of California, California Strawberry Commission, Orafti, Unilever and Solae. Cyril Kendall has served on the Scientific Advisory Board of Paramount Farms. David Jenkins and Cyril Kendall have received grants from Barilla, Solae, Unilever, Hain Celestial, Loblaw Brands, Sanitarium, Almond Board of California, International Tree Nut Council, California Strawberry Commission, the Western Pistachio Association, Orafti, and the Canola and Flax Councils of Canada. David Jenkins has been on the speakers’ panel for the Almond Board of California. Cyril Kendall has been on the speakers’ panel for the Almond Board of California, Paramount Farms and the International Tree Nut Council.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kendall, C., Josse, A., Esfahani, A. et al. The impact of pistachio intake alone or in combination with high-carbohydrate foods on post-prandial glycemia. Eur J Clin Nutr 65, 696–702 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.12

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.12

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links