Dr. Annick Fournier, MD, FRCSC, Ophthalmologist Eye health and nutrition - Pistachios and nuts

Duration: 1:31

Pistachios are members of the tree nut family which are foods that are generally under consumed relative to their nutritional value.

People often look at nuts like pistachios and see them as a source of excess calories, but the reality is that regular nut intake is strongly associated with improved long-term health in quite literally every category.

Nuts like pistachios are among the only sources of cholesterol lowering monounsaturated fats and plant sterols while also containing key blood pressure lowering nutrients like potassium and magnesium.

Pistachios are unique among nuts because they are the one variety that contains significant amounts of the antioxidant compounds lutein and zeaxanthin, a pair of phytochemicals concentrated in the human retina.

Scientists believe that lutein and zeaxanthin protect the retina from damage as we age, and that consuming more of these compounds from food can contribute to a reduced risk of cataract and macular degeneration.

Presenter: Dr. Annick Fournier, Ophthalmologist, Ottawa, ON

Local Practitioners: Ophthalmologist