Pistachios may lower LDL cholesterol

"Pistachios may help curb less-than-ideal levels of LDL 'bad' cholesterol, a new study shows. But there's a catch: if you add pistachios to your diet, you've got to cut back elsewhere to keep your calorie count steady, since gaining extra weight won't do your heart any favors. Nuts are already known to be good for your heart when eaten in moderation as part of a low-fat diet. Since 2003, the FDA has allowed almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, and peanuts to make a qualified health claim to that effect. The new study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, is only about pistachios. Almonds and walnuts have been featured in most of the previous nut studies, so the researchers put pistachios in the spotlight" - WebMD