Latest news with #AmericanPistachioGrowers
Business Standard
16 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Food as Medicine: Dr. V. Mohan on the Economic and Health Impact of Pistachio-Based Diabetes Prevention
Dr. V. Mohan, one of India's foremost diabetologists and researchers, sheds light on the findings of a landmark clinical trial led by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), conducted with the support of the American Pistachio Growers (APG). Recently published in the prestigious Journal of Nutrition, the study reveals how adding pistachios to a daily diet could significantly improve metabolic health in people with prediabetes—a discovery that could influence how India tackles its growing diabetes burden. Why Pistachios May Be the Missing Piece in India's Nutrition Puzzle? The Indian diet is largely carbohydrate-heavy, with limited focus on proteins and healthy fats. For a balanced diet, all three macronutrients—carbs, proteins, and fats—must be proportionately included. Among fats, trans fats (in processed foods) and saturated fats (like ghee and butter) are harmful. Healthier options include unsaturated fats: monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). MUFAs are especially beneficial for heart health and diabetes management. Unfortunately, Indian diets lack MUFAs. Pistachios, rich in MUFA, offer a healthy solution. Research now shows they help lower cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and waist size—contrary to earlier beliefs about nuts and weight gain. Pistachios and Satiety: A Natural Way to Control Appetite Pistachios are remarkably effective at inducing satiety, helping people feel full faster. When meals include natural, fiber- and protein-rich foods like pistachios, fruits, and non-starchy vegetables, carb intake naturally drops. For instance, someone used to eat three chapatis may feel satisfied with just one or two. This simple dietary change can aid in weight control, improve blood sugar levels, and support better overall metabolic health—making pistachios a smart, healthy addition. Reducing Healthcare Costs Through Preventive Nutrition According to the ICMR-INDIAB study, India has 101 million diabetics and 136 million prediabetics. If even half of the prediabetics develop diabetes, the total could exceed 160 million—leading to enormous healthcare costs, including medications, surgeries, and dialysis. Preventive strategies like pistachio consumption can delay or prevent diabetes and reduce heart disease risk. This not only improves health outcomes but also significantly cuts healthcare expenses for individuals and the system. The Role of International Collaborations in Driving Health Innovation Collaborations like ours with APG (American Pistachio Growers) are crucial for generating strong, evidence-based research. This study helps prove that investing in healthy foods—like pistachios over junk snacks—can lead to simple, impactful health improvements nationwide. An Opportunity for Indian Food Brands: Healthy Pistachio-Based Products There is a huge opportunity for Indian food companies to develop pistachio-based products. But they must be careful not to undermine the health benefits by adding excess salt, sugar, or fat. Pistachios should be consumed in as natural a form as possible, or blended with other healthy ingredients in a mindful way. Done right, this can help make healthier eating mainstream. The Future of Pistachio Research: Beyond Diabetes At the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, we're studying how pistachios improve gut health, reduce inflammation, and lower insulin resistance. Long-term trials are challenging, so we're pursuing large-scale observational studies over 10–15 years to explore pistachios' lasting impact on heart disease, diabetes, and obesity in real-world settings. Can India Create Its Own 'Mediterranean Diet"? India can create its own 'Indian Mediterranean diet' with nuts like pistachios, healthy fats, and traditional vegetables—promoting long-term health by rethinking our carb-heavy eating habits. The Rise of Nut-Based Food Content Creators: A Boon for Public Health? We also need the help of social media creators and health influencers to spread awareness. If people understand that a handful of pistachios daily can lower heart disease and diabetes risk, this message will stick—and habits will change. Global Collaboration: Partners in the Pistachio Study Our study involved collaborations with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and other global experts. These partnerships ensured that our research met the highest scientific standards, making it impactful and credible. What's Next for MDRF? Beyond Pistachios We're working on several projects. Studies on cashews, almonds, walnuts, and groundnuts Research on how much carbohydrate is safe, and what should replace it—protein, fat, or something else Childhood diabetes, gestational diabetes, and type 1 diabetes Use of AI and machine learning in reading retinal scans for diabetes-related eye diseases Physical activity innovations like Tandav, a 12-minute Bollywood dance workout designed by my daughter Dr. Ranjana, which uses HIIT principles We are exploring immune markers, inflammatory markers, and metabolomics. These studies are costly, but since the early results are promising, we're talking to funders to support continued research in this area. Conclusion: Rethinking Food as Medicine India must shift from treatment to prevention. Adding pistachios daily is a small step with big benefits—for diabetes, heart health, and healthcare costs. It's time to see food as medicine.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Underrated Snack Might Be the Secret to Better Health, According to a New Study
This Underrated Snack Might Be the Secret to Better Health, According to a New Study originally appeared on Parade. Roughly 21 million American adults report having had a major depressive episode in a year, as reported by the National Institute of Mental Health. That's 8.3% of the population, and a pretty staggering number which doesn't account for the many people who may experience what they consider "minor" depressive episodes, which are also challenging and life-affecting. Treatment for any kind of depression, or anxiety for that matter, varies from person to person, and should always be directed by a trusted medical professional. But what if incorporating certain foods into your diet more often could help alleviate minor depression or anxiety symptoms, even just a little? Well, that's what one study set out to find out, and it honed in specifically on pistachios. Healthy Now💪 SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week 💪 In complete transparency, the study in question was supported by the American Pistachio Growers, however it was published in the Journal of Food Science and Nutrition Research, and led to some pretty interesting findings on how the nut can affect emotional health. Researchers looked at data from over 64,000 adults in the U.S. and found that people who ate pistachios had lower rates of anxiety and fewer problems with depression than those who didn't eat them. Honing in on a specific demographic, study participants ages 60 and above who ate pistachios had 16% less anxiety, and younger adults (ages 20 - 59) had fewer depression-related issues. Overall, pistachio eaters were about half as likely to have minor depression. "Pistachios are a rich source of bioactive nutrients, and our research suggests that modest consumption may play a meaningful role in supporting mental well-being," said Kristin Fulgoni, lead author and researcher at Nutrition Impact, LLC. "What we noticed is that even small amounts of pistachios—about an ounce a day—were linked to these benefits."More findings to ponder: Study participants who ate roughly two-ounches of pistachios at night for 12 weeks had more of what's considered "good" gut bacteria (including Roseburiaand Lachnospiraceae) that are known to produce a compound called butyrate. Though more research is needed, early studies suggest that butyrate may support gut and brain health. Pistachio eaters also had lower levels of other not-so-great bacteria, that have been connected to cognitive decline, poor mood state and other brain health challenges in observational studies. So is it worth adding pistachios to your diet? Well, that's up to you and your healthcare professional. But if you're already snacking on 'em, now you can certainly feel better about Underrated Snack Might Be the Secret to Better Health, According to a New Study first appeared on Parade on Jun 27, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hans India
27-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Nutty meets sweet: Pistachioocolate cookies
Elevate your baking and snacking game with an inventive pistachio recipe by Shivesh Bhatia, presented by American Pistachio Growers. Indulge in rich Chocolate Pistachio Cookies —highlighting the nut's bold flavour, creamy texture, and versatility. Perfect for celebrations or everyday indulgence. Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Ingredients l 1/2 cup (112g) butter, melted l 1/4 cup brown sugar l 1/4 cup castor sugar l 2 tbsp milk l 1 tsp vanilla extract l 1 cup all purpose flour l 1 tbsp cornflour l 1/2 tsp baking soda l 1/3 cup chocolate chunks l 1/2 cup pistachio, chopped Pistachio paste l 1 cup pistachios l 1/2 cup white chocolate l 1/4 cup condensed milk Process- l In a bowl, add melted butter, brown sugar and castor sugar. Whisk everything until well combined. l Add milk and vanilla extract in it and mix again. l Now add in the dry ingredients flour, cornflour and baking soda and combine to form a dough. l Fold in the chopped dark chocolate and pistachios in the dough. l For the pistachio paste, in a blender jar add pistachios, white chocolate and condensed milk. Blend everything together until you achieve a smooth pistachio paste. Measure 1 tbsp and freeze them for about 10-15 minutes or until set. l Scoop out even sized portions of cookie dough and place a pistachio paste ball inside the cookie dough. lAdd more dark chocolate chips and pistachios on top. Refrigerate the cookies for at least 10-12 minutes. lminutes or until the edges are brown.
Associated Press
24-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Adult Pistachio Eaters Report 48% Lower Risk of Minor Depression
A new study finds that enjoying a handful of pistachios may do more than satisfy snack cravings—it could also help support some markers of mental well-being. FRESNO, Calif., June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers analyzing health data from more than 64,000 U.S. adults in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that eating pistachios was linked with lower anxiety frequency, fewer difficulties caused by depression or anxiety, and reduced risk of having minor depression* compared to those who did not eat pistachios.1 The study, supported by the American Pistachio Growers, published this month in the Journal of Food Science and Nutrition Research, is one of the first to explore how pistachios might support emotional health. 'Pistachios are a rich source of bioactive nutrients, and our research suggests that modest consumption may play a meaningful role in supporting mental well-being,' said Kristin Fulgoni, lead author and researcher at Nutrition Impact, LLC. 'What we noticed is that even small amounts of pistachios—about an ounce a day—were linked to these benefits.' Key findings in context: The exploratory study looked at self-reported typical eating habits over a 24 hour period, meaning these benefits were observed in people who simply chose to include pistachios in their diets. 'More research is needed to understand exactly how pistachios may support mental health,' said Fulgoni. Adding to the Evidence: New Clinical Trial Suggests Pistachios Provide Gut Health Benefits This mental health study builds on a rapidly expanding scientific literature supporting pistachios' role in human health. A newly published clinical trial from researchers at Penn State University shows that eating pistachios before bed may help support a healthier gut.2 In that study: This study was funded by the American Pistachio Growers. For more information about research on the health benefits of pistachios, visit About American Pistachio Growers American Pistachio Growers is a non-profit trade association representing more than 830 members who are pistachio growers, processors and industry partners in California, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. American-grown pistachios are sold under many quality brand names internationally, so look for country of origin on packaging. For more information, visit Contact Amber Wilson, MS, RD Senior Director, Global Nutrition & Marketing, North America [email protected] (310) 384-4251 References *Severity of depression was judged in the study using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health 4th (DSM-IV) edition defined cutoffs criteria. The DSM-IV defines minor depression as having 2-4 depressive symptoms for 2 weeks or longer, having either a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure, the symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment, and no manic or hypomanic behavior is present. View original content: SOURCE American Pistachio Growers
Fast Company
03-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
The summer's biggest trend is a tariff-proof indulgence
The color of the summer is here, and it started with a chocolate bar. Pistachio (both the food and the color) is all the rage right now. The nut entered the limelight over the past several months after various food creators on TikTok popularized 'Dubai chocolate,' an indulgent chocolate bar filled with pistachio cream, tahini, and shredded phyllo dough. This spring, Dubai chocolate officially made its way into the mainstream, appearing as a cookie at Crumbl, a shake at Shake Shack, a chocolate bar at Trader Joe's, a donut at Krispy Kreme, and a returning latte flavor at Dunkin'. Demand for Dubai chocolate has spiked so high that pistachio producers in Iran exported 40% more nuts to the United Arab Emirates in the six months leading to March 2025 than they did in the entire 12 months before. Some stores have had to limit sales of the bars due to disruptions of the global pistachio supply chain. But it turns out that for customers in the U.S., there's a bonus to the trend besides an influx of tasty treats: The nut is relatively shielded from potential tariffs. Come what may, chances are that it's about to be a very nutty—and very green—summer. America dominates the pistachio market The U.S. is the top producer of pistachios globally, accounting for about 75% of the world's supply, according to Zachary Fraser, president and CEO of American Pistachio Growers (APG). The second-largest producer is Iran. The 2024-2025 U.S. pistachio crop harvest, Fraser says, was 1.1 billion pounds in-shell—'the third-largest harvest in the history of the industry.' So far, Fraser reports, the Trump administration's tariffs have not had an immediate impact on the nut's production. 'The industry is closely monitoring tariffs as the situation evolves, and we are active in the conversations with government officials to stay on top of the changing dynamics,' Fraser says. 'Continuing to invest in market development and new countries to drive demand is part of that strategy.' From APG's perspective, there's been a marked rise in interest in pistachios over the past several months. 'Recognizing the trending Dubai chocolate bar, it's been exciting to see the popularity of pistachios grow across many other food and beverage products,' Fraser says. 'We're seeing pistachios incorporated across baked goods, spreads, snacks, ice cream and more.' Pistachio goes beyond the bar Pistachios aren't staying confined to sweet treats, either. As the nut's flavor profile has risen into stardom, so, too, has its signature sage-green hue. In the past two months or so, pistachio green has exploded from the chocolate wrapper to fashion runways, mood boards, and even interior design. In March, Homes & Gardens called the hue designers' 'go-to color for spring and summer 2025.' In May, Harper's Bazaar noted that the 'gastronomic shade' defined recent fashion shows by Miu Miu, Prada, Alexander McQueen, Gucci, and others. The average American is also becoming enamored with the color. According to Pinterest global data from January to March 2025, searches for 'pistachio chocolate bar' surged 1,989%, while searches for 'pistachio outfit ideas' jumped 361% and those for 'pistachio green weddings' were up 285%.
