Pistachios are rich in essential nutrients which, in turn, provide many health benefits such as weight loss and improved cardiovascular health.
1- The nutritional value:
Low in calories, pistachios have higher levels of potassium and vitamin K than any other nut.
A small portion of pistachio contains 160 calories, 5 g of protein, 3 g of fiber, 15 g of fat, including 2 g of saturated fat.
A small portion of pistachios can fill 25% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6 and at least 15% of the recommended daily intake of thiamine and magnesium.
Note that pistachios provide up to 10% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium.
2- Cardiovascular health:
Eating pistachios for snacks can help lower blood cholesterol levels. People who adopt a low calorie diet, consuming pistachios to fill 20% of their daily calorie intake, tend to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Pistachios contain arginine, an amino acid that makes arterial and blood vessels more flexible. In addition, this compound also reduces the risk of developing blood clots which can cause heart attacks.
The vitamin E content in pistachios also makes arteries less likely to be blocked by cholesterol buildups.
3- Weight loss:
Did you know that nuts could help you lose weight? If you enjoy snacking on nuts, be aware that these foods can help you lose weight by eating small portions.
The high fiber content in pistachios helps promote a feeling of fullness.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in June 2012, participants who consumed up to 240 calories of pistachios for 3 months were successful in reducing their body mass indexes, as well as triglyceride levels.
Warning :
Although a large percentage of the fat in pistachios is inherently unsaturated, these nuts are very caloric, so it is best to eat them in moderation.
When you want to eat pistachios, be sure to choose the unsalted variety to avoid excessive salt consumption.