7 Ways Eating Pistachios Benefit Your Health

Sharon Moore October 21, 2014

Pistachio is a member of the cashew family that has earned a very good reputation in the field of health and fitness. This tasty nut is enriched with many health-benefiting nutrients that are essential for optimum health.

Here are 7 ways pistachios benefit your health:

Lower Cholesterol

Pistachios have been shown in studies to reduce bad cholesterol and increase the good one, when consumed regularly. They are high in antioxidants such as vitamins A and E that all contribute to a stronger heart. A handful of pistachios a day can keep your cardiologist away by fighting inflammation, protecting blood vessels and reducing your risk of heart disease. This nut is also high in lutein – an antioxidant that also helps lower bad cholesterol.

Weight Management

If you’re looking to lose weight, pistachios are a great snacking option. These nuts are low in calories and saturated fats, and high in protein – making it a good choice for dieters. They are ideal contender for weight management, as compared to other nuts and dried fruits.

Stronger Immunity

Deficiency in vitamin B6 can impede brain activity as well as decrease the ability of the immune system to fight infections. Vitamin B6 also helps the body produce healthy red blood cells, and helps maintain the health of lymphoid glands, such as the thymus, spleen and lymph nodes, ensuring the production of white blood cells that defend the body from infections. They are also an excellent source of vitamin E – a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant that is essential for maintaining the health of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin, and offer protection from harmful oxygen-free radicals. Furthermore, pistachios are rich in potassium which can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, than any other nut.

Eye Health

Pistachios contain two carotenoids – lutein and zeaxanthin – which are not available in most nuts. These carotenoids function as protective antioxidants that protect tissues from damage from free radicals. They have been linked with a decrease in the risk for developing age-related macular degeneration – one of the leading causes of age-related macular degeneration.

Improved Blood Flow

Vitamin B6 is essential to make haemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen through the blood stream to cells, and is also shown to increase the amount of oxygen carried.
Reduced Diabetes Risk

One of the final health benefits of pistachios is that they function in controlling diabetes. The antioxidants present in pistachios help in reducing the process of glycation (the process in which the sugars form inappropriate bonds with proteins and make them unusable) and thus can help in controlling diabetes.

Gut Health

Pistachios are a good source of dietary fibre, which helps in the smooth digestion of food. A serving of about 1 ounce or 30 grams of pistachios contains about 3 grams of dietary fibre, more than enough to get your digestive tracts working at optimum capacity.