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(NAPSI)-Great news for pistachio lovers: Now you can enjoy California
pistachios as part of a heart-healthy diet. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) recently approved a qualified health claim for nuts and
heart disease prevention for immediate use on food labels.
The claim states, "Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that
eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pistachios, as part of a
diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart
disease."
"This is fabulous news for pistachio fans," said Karen Reinecke,
President of the California Pistachio Commission. "We've always known
pistachios are a terrific snack as part of a balanced diet. Now, enjoying a
handful of pistachios is also considered a smart choice in practicing
overall good heart health."
California pistachios contain predominantly monounsaturated fat, shown to
lower both total and LDL "bad" cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. A
handful or one-ounce serving of pistachios-that equates to 49 kernels
according to the USDA-contains 13 grams of total fat with only 1.5 grams
being saturated. And, pistachios are naturally cholesterol free.
In support of the new health claim, the California Pistachio Commission
is promoting a new awareness campaign, "Be Good To Your Heart-Living &
Snacking the Heart-Healthy Way" to help Americans focus on achieving a
healthy diet and active lifestyle to enjoy a long life.
"We know good nutrition and daily physical activity continue to play an
important role in being good to your heart. Pistachios easily fit into the
busy lifestyles of Americans, making being good to your heart even easier,"
added Reinecke.
The California Pistachio Commission's consumer awareness campaign also
highlights an important initiative that promotes heart health and prevention
of heart disease among women: the National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute's (NHLBI) "The Heart Truth." At the center of "The Heart Truth" is
its Red Dress Project that launched the Red Dress Pin as the national symbol
for women and heart disease awareness. The red dress symbolizes the fact
that heart disease doesn't care what you wear, it's the number one killer of
women. For more information and to order the red dress pin, visit
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth, or write to NHLBI Information Center,
P. O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD, 20824-0105.
"Heart disease is America's number one killer of both men and women,"
according to Susan K. Bennett, M.D., a leading cardiologist specializing in
women's heart disease and Clinical Director of the Women's Heart Program at
George Washington University Hospital. "Unfortunately, only about a third of
females know that this devastating disease is the leading cause of death for
women in the United States."
Consumers interested in receiving a free "Be Good To Your Heart" brochure
from the California Pistachio Commission featuring useful tips on
heart-healthy eating and living can write to P.O. Box 14026, Pinedale, CA,
93650-4026, or visit www.pistachios.org. |
