The Benefits of Pistachios
Written By: admin in All Natural on February 24, 2010
If you are looking for a ‘snack food’ that you can actually eat without feeling guilty, pistachios would be a good choice. Although nuts are known to be high in fats, it is the relationship between good and bad fats that make the difference. In a nutshell, pardon the pun, pistachios have a perfect ratio between saturated and unsaturated fats with 0% cholesterol and 0% transfat. Also, they are high in fiber which when combined with their cholesterol lowering properties makes them a heart-healthy snack.
Pistachios are known to benefit the body in other ways as well. It is known that they can provide healthful benefits to the brain, the eyes, hair, hormones, bones, teeth, the heart, digestion, blood sugar levels, the immune system, muscles, and skin as well as in the production of energy.
The reason for all those benefits is the fact that pistachios are so high in nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Copper, Manganese, Phytosterols, Beta-Carotene, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Potassium, Sodium and Dietary Fiber.
Because they contain significant amounts of Potassium and Magnesium, pistachios help regulate blood pressure and the heart rate. The minerals Manganese, Copper and Phosphorus aid in building and maintaining strong bones. The B vitamins help in building strong muscles while also providing a source of energy. Those B vitamins are also known to have natural infection-fighting properties. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are two of the most potent antioxidants known to benefit the eyes and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
The suggested serving size that will provide the maximum nutrients while staying within a reasonable amount of calories is ½ cup with shells or ¼ cup shelled. This is just another area in our lives where we should think green.
