LOS ANGELES, August 2007 — A recent Penn State pistachio diet study, presented at the 2007 Experimental Biology Conference held in Washington D.C., indicated that a diet incorporating 1.5 ounces and 3 ounces — about one to two handfuls — of pistachios can lower cholesterol while providing a tasty culinary experience. As part of the study, participants were asked to eat pistachios both as a snack and as part of other food recipes. Due to their popularity, these "Pistachio Heart Health recipes" — which range from Pistachio Crunch Muffins and Pistachio Chicken Salad to Pistachio Pesto — are now available to the public.

"What was remarkable to us from this study was not only the evidence that a diet rich in pistachios can help lower cholesterol, but also the volume of interest we got from potential participants who requested to be part of the pistachio study," said study co-author Sarah K. Gebauer, graduate student in integrative biosciences, Penn State. "This demonstrates that eating heart healthy foods can be an enjoyable experience, which is why we're pleased to make these Pistachio Heart Health recipes available to the public."

About the Penn State Pistachio Diet
The Penn State study was a randomized, crossover design, controlled feeding experiment to test the effects of pistachios added to a heart-healthy, moderate-fat diet on cardiovascular disease risk factors. Participants began the study by eating an Average American Diet consisting of 35 percent total fat and 11 percent saturated fat for two weeks. They then tested three diets, all variations on the Step 1 Diet (a cholesterol-lowering diet in general use). Researchers added pistachios into the diets by including about half the amount of pistachios as a snack and by incorporating the rest into foods such as pistachio muffins, granola and pistachio pesto. Researchers concluded that pistachio amounts of 1.5 ounces and 3 ounces per day reduced cardiovascular disease by significantly reducing LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. In addition, the higher daily dose reduced lipoprotein ratios.

"This study demonstrates that consuming moderate levels of healthful monounsaturated fat, like that found in pistachios, appears to help limit the risk of cardiovascular disease," continued Gebauer. "The fact that people enjoy eating pistachios is an added benefit."

About the Pistachio Heart Health Recipes
Pistachio recipes used in the Penn State study, developed in the Penn State Metabolic Diet Study Center, include Pistachio Crunch Muffins, Pistachio Banana Bread Muffins, Pistachio Pesto, Pistachio Chicken Salad, Pistachio Granola and California Style Pistachio Salad. Study participants received three meals plus one snack per day.