Pistachio is one of those ingredients that, when you start eating, there is no stopping. And whoever eats it, does very well: the properties of this food make it one of the healthiest snacks that exist and, therefore, it is advisable to consume it frequently.
Among the elements of pistachios most beneficial for health are:
Since 18% is protein, we would find pistachios an excellent source of protein supply for those people who do not eat meat or foods of animal origin.
Diabetes risk reduction
High blood sugar levels are a big risk factor for developing diabetes. According to a study published in The Review of Diabetic Studies, consuming pistachios helps reduce blood glucose, thanks to their high fiber content, healthy fats and antioxidants.
Son cardioprotectores
If you eat pistachios, you will have a slightly lower risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, thanks to their high fatty acid content.
And even better, it has been shown that the consumption of these nuts favors the reduction of LDL cholesterol levels (the bad one) and increases HDL cholesterol (the good one). For that reason alone, it is worth consuming them daily.
Another vascular problem that can take its toll on us with age is arterial stiffness, a dangerous condition that we can help prevent with the amino acid L-arginine in pistachios.
They cause satiety and help you lose weight
Apart from fiber, protein is one of the elements that causes the most satiety. And pistachios provide us with both in good quantities.
If we eat them in moderate proportions and feel satisfied, we will not need to eat anything else between meals. And if our goal is to reduce weight, pistachios are a good ally because, in addition, the time we spend trying to peel them also has an influence. Another study determined that, as we consume them in our country—roasted in the shell—we ingest fewer calories than if we found them peeled (we eat less).
Like carrots, they are good for your eyes
An article published by the American Optometric Association explains that lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins E and B2 help reduce the risk of certain age-related vision diseases, such as macular degeneration and cataracts.
They take care of the skin and keep it young
Pistachios help keep the skin in the best condition and prevent premature aging, thanks to the antioxidants and vitamin E they contain, which also defend us from the attacks of sunlight.
They are positive for brain health
In 2018, a study was published that promoted the consumption of nuts as a food that protects brain health in various aspects.
Pistachios, which would be included in this group, contribute to deep meditation, empathy and healing, as well as neural synchronization, improved cognitive processing, recall and memory. All these properties are attributed to its high flavonoid content.
In this article we have always talked about consuming a moderate amount, since we must not forget that pistachios have a significant caloric contribution. Every 100 grams have 611 calories, with 51 grams of fat (of which almost 7 grams are saturated fat). Therefore, the recommended daily amount is 30 pistachios (about 30 grams).
This article was originally published on RAC1.
