Carrots may lose their status as the go-to food for eye health. New research finds that just two handfuls of pistachios a day can help ward of macular degeneration.
Pistachios are an excellent source of lutein, a carotenoid, which helps to protect the macula from damage. The natural fat content in pistachios helps the body better absorb the lutein compared to other sources of lutein.
Researchers found that people who ate two ounces of unsalted, shelled, dry-roasted pistachios as part of their diet everyday, had notable improvements in their macular pigment optical density after just a six week period.
In addition to being a great source of lutein, pistachios are also high in protein and fiber and have been found to be beneficial with weight management and maintaining healthy gut bacteria.
