A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study to Assess Effects of a Daily Pistachio (Pistacia Vera) Afternoon Snack on Next-Meal Energy Intake, Satiety, and Anthropometry in French Women.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effect of daily pistachio consumption on micronutrient intake, including copper, compared to an isoenergetic snack.
Results Summary
The pistachio group showed significantly higher copper intake compared to the biscuit group, but the study did not measure specific health outcomes related to copper.
Population
30 healthy French women in a free-living setting.
Effective Dosage
56 g of pistachios daily as an afternoon snack.
Duration
4 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Including nuts in the diet | increase | appetite control | - | - | improves | #1 |
Including nuts in the diet | no change | weight gain | - | - | does not lead to | #2 |
daily consumption of pistachios as an afternoon snack | no change | satiety effects | 30 healthy French women | - | were not different | #3 |
daily consumption of pistachios as an afternoon snack | no change | body weight | 30 healthy French women | - | had no impact on | #4 |
daily consumption of pistachios as an afternoon snack | increase | Thiamin, vitamin B6, copper, and potassium intakes | 30 healthy French women | - | were significantly higher | #5 |
daily consumption of pistachios as an afternoon snack | no change | post-snack food intake and subjective feelings of satiety | 30 healthy French women | - | resulted in similar | #6 |
A daily pistachio snack for a month | no change | body weight or composition | 30 healthy French women | - | did not affect | #7 |
A daily pistachio snack for a month | increase | micronutrient intake | 30 healthy French women | - | did improve | #8 |
Including nuts in the diet improves appetite control and does not lead to weight gain. However, for pistachios, evidence from randomized intervention studies is limited and there are no data on the effect of pistachios on satiety. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of daily consumption of pistachios as an afternoon snack on satiety, self-reported energy, self-reported nutrient intake, body weight, and body composition. This randomized controlled pilot study included two parallel groups of 30 healthy French women, in a free-living setting. For four weeks, groups were instructed to consume either 56 g (1318 kJ) of pistachios or 56 g of isoenergetic/equiprotein savory biscuits as an afternoon snack. Evening energy intake, changes in anthropometric measures, and daily intake of energy and selected nutrients were assessed. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to rate hunger, fullness, desire to eat, and prospective consumption. Satiety effects were not different between groups, as assessed by evening energy intake or VAS scores. Consuming pistachios or biscuits had no impact on body weight. Thiamin, vitamin B6, copper, and potassium intakes were significantly higher in the pistachio group. Consuming pistachios or biscuits as an afternoon snack resulted in similar post-snack food intake and subjective feelings of satiety. A daily pistachio snack for a month did not affect body weight or composition but it did improve micronutrient intake.