Lifestyle factors, including diet and exercise habits, can significantly influence your cholesterol levels. Individuals worried about high cholesterol because of recent cholesterol test results or a family history of high cholesterol may benefit from monitoring their intake of high cholesterol foods. Often, fatty foods such as nuts are associated with cholesterol. However, plant foods do not contain cholesterol.
Cholesterol Information
Cholesterol is a fatty, lipid substance produced by the human body and consumed through food. Despite the well-known negative side of cholesterol, it serves important functions in the body. Cholesterol is a large component of cellular membranes, and it produces hormones, bile acids and vitamin D. High cholesterol, however, is a major controllable risk factor for heart disease, stroke and heart attack.
There are two primary types of cholesterol in the body, LDL and HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the harmful type of cholesterol that circulates through the body and can form plaque on arterial walls. HDL cholesterol is a good type of cholesterol that cleans out LDL cholesterol from blood vessel walls and returns the LDL cholesterol to the liver.
Pistachio Information
One ounce, or 28 g of raw pistachio nuts contains 157 calories, 13 g of fat, 6 g of protein and 3 g of fiber. Raw pistachios also contain 24 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin B-6, 18 percent of the daily value of copper, 17 percent of the daily value of manganese, 16 percent of the daily value of thiamin and 14 percent of the daily value of phosphorus.
Cholesterol in Pistachios
Pistachios do not contain any cholesterol. Plant products including fruits, vegetables and grains do not contain cholesterol. Cholesterol is found in eggs, meat, dairy, and fish. Egg yolks and organ meats contain high levels of cholesterol, as do some shellfish. Cholesterol is only found in animal products.
Benefits of Pistachios on Cholesterol
Pistachios may help to improve body cholesterol levels because of their level of plant sterols. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, consuming foods with plant sterols may help to reduce cholesterol based on preliminary studies. One ounce of raw pistachios contains 60.5 mg of plant sterols.
Lower Your Cholesterol
According to "The New York Times," more than half of adults have blood cholesterol above desirable levels. Although some cases of high cholesterol are due to genetic factors, high cholesterol is a controllable condition. To lower cholesterol, MayoClinic.com recommends eliminating trans fats from your diet, limiting dietary cholesterol, exercising regularly and choosing healthy poly-unsaturated and monounsaturated fats.
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