Pistachio consumption improves some of the metabolic components according to a meta analysis published in ‘Nutrition Reviews’. The review included studies that explored the effect of pistachio intake on metabolic syndrome published in various online databases such as PubMed, Scopus etc.

Seventeen RCTs including 940 adults met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Pistachio supplementation significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (BP; MD, –2.89 mmHg, 95%CI: –4.11 to –1.67; P < 0.001), triglycerides (MD, –16.76 mg/dL, 95%CI: –16.89 to –16.64; P < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (MD, –3.62 mg/dL, 95%CI: –6.45 to –0.8; P < 0.001,) and increased HDL (MD, 1.43 mg/dL, 95%CI: 1.39 to 1.47; P < 0.001) levels. No considerable changes were observed in waist circumference, diastolic BP, and body mass index.

The meta-analysis concluded that pistachio consumption could improve some MetS components, including systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, and HDL levels, without affecting anthropometric indices and diastolic BP.