Move over carrots, pistachios are the new superfood for healthier eyes

For years, we've been told that carrots are good for our eyes. However, a new discovery by US scientists suggests that pistachios might actually be the superfood that can help improve eyesight.The scientists at the Tufts University, Massachusetts recently found that pistachio is a sight-boosting food as it has an antioxidant called the lutein which increases the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in the eyes. The study published in The Journal of Nutrition proved that two ounces or having a serving of pistachios on a daily basis can improve the vision of the eye and it can also protect the eye sight from age-related vision problems.Led by Tammy Scott, the study observed adults who had inclusion of two ounces of pistachios in their diet for 12 weeks showed better improvements in eye health than the adults who had a regular diet or rarely consumed pistachios.Pistachios which are considered to be the healthy dry fruit have lutein in them - a beneficial compound that helps in the formation of macular pigments in the retina. It is usually the green leafy vegetables that have the source of lutein and now the study has discovered that pistachios offer a distinct advantage over others. The lutein in pistachios is absorbed more by the body than in green leafy vegetables because of the extra natural fat content present in it.The study done in the US focused on the special protective pigments in the retina, which is the macular pigment which helps in filtering the harmful blue light. In the study analysis, it was mentioned that the test was conducted on 36 healthy adults between the ages of 40 and 70 and one group had the diet consisting of a low amount of lutein-rich foods and the other group was given two ounces of unsalted pistachios to their diet. After six weeks of observation the group that consumed pistachios showed significant improvement in eye health with increased macular pigment levels, while the other group showed no changes.

Benefits of pistachios

Adding pistachios to your daily diet is a wonderful way to nourish your body. The nuts are packed with essential nutrients including protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamin B1 and B6. They are very rich in antioxidants and it helps in improving overall cholesterol balance.Pistachios are low in calories and high in fiber and it helps in blood sugar control. It has a low glycemic index which helps prevent blood spikes. Pistachios are rich in Vitamin E and it helps nourish the skin, acting as a barrier against UV rays and potentially slowing aging signs.