"Eat two handfuls of 'this' a day"... They say it prevents eye and brain degeneration as you age?

Researchers at Tufts University randomly divided 36 healthy adults aged 40 to 70 into two groups. One group continued their usual diet, while the other added two ounces of pistachios to their daily diet. This roughly doubled the participants' lutein intake, equivalent to two handfuls of pistachios. The researchers measured the participants' MPOD levels before the study, during the study (week 6), and at the end of the study (week 12).

The study found that participants who consumed two ounces of pistachios per day experienced a significant increase in macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a key indicator of eye health, after just six weeks. MPOD helps protect the retina and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in older adults. The researchers concluded, "Regular pistachio consumption suggests that increasing lutein levels in the retina may help maintain eye health."

Lutein may also benefit brain health by transporting it through the bloodstream to the brain, acting as an antioxidant and calming inflammation, a key risk factor for diseases like dementia. Previous studies have shown that higher lutein intake is associated with improved cognitive function, including faster memory and processing skills.

"Pistachios are a nutritious snack, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants," said study author Professor Tammy Scott. "Pistachios may be a simple, natural way to support long-term eye health, which is especially important as the risk of vision problems increases with age."

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If you eat pistachios regularly,

Increased lutein levels in the retina

It is said that it can help maintain eye health.