6th Annual Judith Ramaley Celebration of Research and Creative Scholarship
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Poster #5 Effects of Pistachio Consumption on Weight Maintenance Ashley D. Anderson, Melanie M. Anderson, Janel L. Jacobson, Mackenzie R. Popko, and Jessica R. Young Faculty Mentor: Ted Wilson Background: The health benefits of nut consumption are largely associated with high intakes of mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Pistachios are rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Some consumers have a perception that increased caloric intake from the fat in nuts may have deleterious effects on weight maintenance. This study determined the effect of pistachio intake at bedtime on weight maintenance. Methods: Twenty-two human participants with a body mass index above 25 were selected to participate in this 42-day study, and randomized to either pistachio or control treatment groups. Pistachio individuals consumed 1.25 oz of roasted unsalted pistachios at bedtime for 42 days. This serving contained 200 total Calories and 16.3 g total fat (1.9 g saturated, 8.7 g monounsaturated, and 5.0 g polyunsaturated fat). No other nuts were permitted in either group. Weight was measured on days 0, 7, 14, 28, and 42. Results: Control participant weights (kg) for days 0, 7, 14, 28, and 42 were 93.4 ± 33.1, 90.3 ± 14.0, 91.5 ± 12.8, 93.0 ± 14.3, and 92.3 ± 14.1, respectively. Pistachio participant weights (kg) for days 0, 7, 14, 28, and 42 were 86.1 ± 18.4, 82.1 ± 14.4, 86.0 ± 17.2, 85.6 ± 17.3, 86.0 ± 17.6, respectively. Treatments had no statistically significant effects on body weight during this 42-day study. When each treatment group was split into high, medium, and low tertiles based on day 0 weight, no significant weight changes were observed in each tertile across the 42-day study. Dietary treatment had statistically non-significant effect on weight change at day 42 relative to baseline (day 0). Dietary treatment had similar statistically non-significant effect on body mass index at day 42 relative to baseline (day 0). Conclusion: Pistachio consumption is associated with health benefits, but a 42-day pistachio intervention does not appear to be associated with any significant change in weight. Therefore, consumer fears about weight gain from consuming fats in pistachios are unwarranted. |
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