Scientists add to the list a new food that reduces cancer risk: pistachio nuts

The Foods rich in antioxidants, phytochemicals and nutrients. are regularly recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle, and research suggests that a diet rich in antioxidants can even help reduce the risk of death.

These types of foods are very common in the Mediterranean diet, which is considered one of the most optimal dietary patterns in the world. Many previous studies have shown that this diet Is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers..

And within those foods, the nuts best exemplify these health benefits.

At this point, a group of researchers at Cornell University have discovered that pistachios have a antioxidant capacity of the highest compared to the values of other foods commonly known for their antioxidant capacity.

“When compared with the values reported in research on other foods high in antioxidants using the same methods, we see that the antioxidant activity of pistachios is higher. than that of foods that are often considered potent antioxidants.such as blueberries, cherries and beets,” said Dr. Rui Hai Liu, professor of food science at Cornell University, who led the research.

In addition, according to the study, pistachios are rich in anti-cancer nutrients and antioxidants.including phytochemicals, vitamin E, fiber, phytosterols and unsaturated fatty acids. For this purpose, up to three types of tumor cells (breast, liver and colon cancer) have been selected in a laboratory setting to study whether pistachio extracts can help inhibit the growth.

Another striking contribution of this research is found in the. benefits of pistachio when roastedas they could produce a number of beneficial phytochemical changes, leading to increased biological activity.

“We believe that the high antioxidant activity of pistachios may be due to unique compounds in pistachios that include vitamin E, carotenoids, phenols, and flavonoids. The combination or interaction of these beneficial antioxidant, bioactive compounds, along with other nutrients in pistachios, is likely what contributes to the many health benefits we have seen in pistachio studies over the past few years,” explained the researcher.