Top 3 Easy Weight Loss Tips to Keep Your Resolutions on Track | Health And Wellness

Newly published research, from the University of California, San Diego, provides yet another reason to snack on pistachios. Researchers suggest that adding pistachios to a weight loss program, which includes nutrition and exercise counseling, can result in a healthier weight with the added benefit of lowering blood pressure.^[1]

According to the lead researcher, Cheryl Rock, PhD, RD, “This study adds to the body of evidence that U.S. pistachios can be a component of a weight loss diet, can increase intake of key nutrients, and can promote a healthy dietary pattern.”

Study participants were given diet and exercise counseling. Half of the participants also added 1.5 ounces of pistachios (a little over a handful) to their daily diet, while the other half did not. After four months, researchers found that both groups had lost about 5 percent of their body weight and decreased their body mass index (BMI). However, the group who ate pistachios daily also had a decrease in blood pressure, and consumed more fiber and fewer sweets, compared with those who did not eat pistachios.

“Exercise is critical to feeling good physically and mentally,” says Roussell. “You don’t need hours at the gym in order to lose weight, improve your health and feel great.”