^
A
A
A

Consumption of pistachios can help lower sugar levels

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

21 November 2014, 09:00

In one of the latest studies, experts studied the benefits of pistachios on the human body and, as it turned out, they help reduce sugar and insulin levels, in addition, eating pistachios helps reverse some of the processes that develop in a prediabetic state.

As a result of the study, scientists found that pistachios have such benefits due to the proteins, fiber, and fats they contain.

The experiment was conducted in 2011-2013 and involved more than 50 people, whom scientists divided into two groups. In one, the volunteers had to eat about 60g of pistachios daily, in the other, the scientists first put the participants on a diet, and then added pistachios to their diet.

The diet of all participants (both in the first and second groups) did not differ in terms of the level of fats, fiber, and saturated fatty acids.

As a result, after eating pistachios, scientists noted a decrease in the volunteers' sugar and insulin levels; in addition, pistachios helped reduce inflammation and maintain normal weight (since they do not contain many calories).

Pistachios contain large amounts of gamma-tocopherol, lutein, phytosterols and other biologically active compounds.

Maintaining normal blood sugar levels is extremely important, as, according to one of the latest studies, high blood sugar levels can trigger cancer.

The experts analyzed 16 studies and also examined data from 900,000 people living in different countries. As a result, they concluded that the probability of developing cancer is 15% higher in a pre-diabetic state, i.e. in a state where the sugar level is at the borderline (the level is quite high, but has not yet reached the minimum value at which diabetes is diagnosed).

After experts took into account body mass index and other factors, it turned out that with prediabetes, the likelihood of developing cancer increases by 22%. Most often, high sugar levels provoked the development of cancer of the stomach, liver, intestines, pancreas, breast, and endometrium.

Experts noted that people with high sugar levels are twice as likely to develop liver cancer, 20% more likely to develop breast cancer, 50% more likely to develop bowel or stomach cancer, and 60% more likely to develop endometrial cancer.

Experts suggest that there are several reasons for this pathology. For example, high sugar levels increase insulin resistance, which leads to the active production of insulin-like proteins that promote the development of cancer cells. In addition, scientists do not rule out the possibility of genetic variations that can increase the likelihood of developing both diabetes and cancer.

Without appropriate treatment of prediabetes, full-blown diabetes develops on average in five years. As statistics show, prediabetes is being diagnosed more often recently.

As a preventative measure, experts recommend taking medications to lower sugar levels, leading an active lifestyle, and eating right.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.