Just like almonds, a green pistachio nut is a revered snaking dry fruit all over the world. Pistachio nut is used in many culinary dishes as a topping and dressing material. People also eat raw pistachio or roasted with salt. Since ancient time people know and eat pistachios either in its raw form or mixed in recipes.
The origin of pistachio is in Persia, slowly it was cultivated in other parts of the world and now it is commercially cultivated in California and New Mexico. As with any nuts, you may be anxious to know the nutrition information, and health benefits of pistachio nuts.
Nutritional Facts And Information On Pistachios
Among the nuts, pistachios are considered as lowest in calories with tremendous health benefits. They are rich source of several vitamins and minerals besides other nutrients. Aside from this, pistachios are great source of fibers and potassium.
- 1 ounce of pistachio contains only 180 calories.
- Antioxidants: the antioxidants present in pistachios are beneficial in fighting the free radicals that damage your body cells. It protects the heart and inhibits cancer forming cells. Certain antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin also protect the eyes from macular degeneration which leads to age related blindness.
- 1 oz of pistachios contains 300 mg of potassium. It is more than that found in banana. Potassium is useful for body cells and especially heart cells.
- Fiber: it is a rich source of fiber. 1 oz of pistachios contains almost 15 % of daily recommended dose of fibers.
- Arginine: arginine present in pistachios is enough to prevent and reduce hardening of arteries. Arginine allows the formation of nitric oxide which is useful to maintain the patency of the arteries.
- Protein: in 1 oz of pistachio, there is almost 10g of proteins.
- Fat: pistachio contains healthy fat that is unsaturated fat.
- Vitamins: vitamin A, C, folates, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine is present in pistachios.
- Minerals: rich source of calcium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium selenium and zinc, phosphorus.
Health Benefits Of Pistachios Nuts
Pistachios are packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that make them the best essential food for maintaining optimum health.
- Heart friendly food: regular eating of pistachios can promote healthy heart. This is because pistachios are good source of monounsaturated fats. It plays an active role in lowering the LDL bad cholesterol in the blood. It also helps to increase the good cholesterol in the body. Bad cholesterol has direct connection with choking of your heart arteries. Thus by keeping it at its optimum level, eating pistachios reduces the chances of blockage of coronary arteries.
- Eating pistachios daily in moderation keep your eyesight and vision in perfect shape. This is because of the carotenoid present in pistachios. Vitamin E and antioxidants present in pistachio reduce the age related retinal damage. Thus it promotes good vision even when you are old.
- The dietary fibers present in pistachio are good for patients suffering from constipation. Regular intakes of few pistachios facilitate normal bowel movement.
- Due to the antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds present in pistachios, it helps to strengthen the immune system of the body. Antioxidants are known to attack and destroy free radical that promotes cancer causing cells.
- Presence of zinc and vitamin E in pistachios is beneficial for healthy skin.
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