Nuts are among the most useful foods and are part of both main dishes and desserts. Among the nuts that bring the most health benefits to the body is pistachios.
It is an excellent choice when looking for food to lose weight and improve heart health because it contains fewer calories and more potassium and vitamin K than other nuts. 30 grams of roasted pistachios contain 160 calories, 6 g of protein, 3 g of fiber and 11 grams of fat, only 2 g of which are saturated.
The same portion contains 25% of the required daily amount of vitamin B 6 , 15% of phosphorus and thiamine and 10% of magnesium , which the body needs.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2008 states that pistachios are an excellent food for lowering cholesterol. The study participants were placed on two low-calorie diets: in one, pistachios accounted for 10% of daily calories, and in the other - for 20%. Both regimens lasted 4 weeks. After their end, the results were impressive: blood levels of beta-carotene , lutein and gamma-tocopherol - powerful antioxidants, were many times higher. In addition to their pronounced antioxidant properties, these triple-acting substances significantly reduced the levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein - LDL or "bad" cholesterol.
Pistachio also contains l-arginine, which makes the walls of the arteries more elastic and reduces the risk of developing a heart attack . Vitamin E reduces the likelihood of atherosclerosis and the accumulation of plaque on the walls of blood vessels. This makes the nut an excellent food for heart health .
If they are not included in a strict diet, but simply eaten, it is advisable to buy them unpeeled and without salt. This will consume smaller amounts and avoid taking too much sodium, which can disrupt normal blood pressure.
Pistachios should not be exposed to light and heat. The nut contains a stable amount of fat, which can quickly begin to decompose on heat, which leads to rancidity of the nut and the possibility of fungal growth. It is recommended to store it in the refrigerator.