Benefits Of Regularly Consuming Pistachio Nuts, Help Maintain Eye Health

JAKARTA - Eye health is an important aspect of overall well-being, and proper diet can play a major role in maintaining the function of sight.

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition reveals that regular consumption of pistachio beans can provide significant benefits for eye health.

The study found that consuming two holdings or about two ounces of pistachio every day for three months was related to a significant increase in the optical density of macula pigments (Macular Pigment Optical Density/MPOD).

The MPOD is an important indicator for eye health, where higher levels show better protection against blue light and age-related damage.

In the study, the researchers conducted random controlled trials on 36 health participants who were not smokers, consisting of men and women aged between 40 and 70 years.

They measured participant MPOD levels after eating normal foods and after regularly consuming two ounces of pistachio per day for 12 weeks.

The results show a marked increase in the MPOD just six weeks after regularly consuming pistachio. The researchers attributed this increase to the lutein content in the pistachio, which is the only peanut that has measurable lutein sources.

Dr. Tammy Scott, the lead researcher of the study, stressed that the results of this research show that pistachio is a nutritious snack that is beneficial for eye health.

Therefore, researchers recommend pistachio as part of a daily diet to reduce the risk of macular degeneracy related to age, which could lead to gradual loss of sight.

"By simply adding a handful of pistachios in your diet, you can increase your lutein intake, which is very important to protect your eyes," says Dr. Scott, as quoted by Antara.

In addition to good eye health, lutein also contributes to brain health by helping to reduce the decline in cognitive function.

Research shows that higher levels of lutein are associated with improved cognitive performance, including memory and speed of information processing.

Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, one of the researchers involved in the study, added that lutein can also function to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.

By inserting the pistachio into your diet, not only is eye health maintained, but also better cognitive functions can be achieved.