Effects of Pistachio Consumption on Body Composition and Blood and Bone Indicators

Research investigating beneficial effects of regular pistachio feedings on body composition (BC) and blood lipids are limited, and there are no studies that have investigated the effects of feeding pistachios on bone density or membrane incorporation of fats. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of pistachio consumption on body composition, bone density, markers of bone turnover, erythrocyte membrane incorporation of fatty acids, lipid status, inflammatory markers, dietary quality/micronutrients and satiety using a cross-over study with two 12-week treatment periods (pistachio added (20 percent of kcals) and a no-pistachio control diet), separated by 15-week washout period. The investigators will recruit 30 female students from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (CP-SLO) and female 30 students from Cal Poly, Pomona (CP-P) facilitating a collaborative project and using the expertise of both Dr. Laura Hall (CP-SLO) and Dr. Bonny Burns-Whitmore (CP-P). The investigators hope to show the health benefits of pistachios as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.