Pistachios are among the most beneficial nuts (Pistachios are high in lutein, beta-carotene, and gamma-tocopherol relative to other nuts).
Pistachios have a lot of antioxidants!
A study by Penn State University that published last year suggested that a heart-healthy diet (like Mediterranean diets) that includes pistachios contributes to the decrease in the serum oxidized-LDL concentration (bad fat) through cholesterol-lowering and may provide an added benefit as a result of the antioxidants that pistachios contain.
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- Pistachios are rich source of energy and contain many health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
- These nuts are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid and an excellent source of antioxidants. Regular intake of pistachios in the diet help to lower total as well as LDL or “bad cholesterol” and increase HDL or “good cholesterol” levels in the blood. Research studies suggest that Mediterranean diet that is rich in dietary fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants help to prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.
- They are rich source of many phyto-chemical substances that may contribute to their overall antioxidant activity, including carotenes, vitamin E, and polyphenolic antioxidant compounds. Research studies have been suggestive of that these compounds help body remove toxic oxygen free radicals and thus, protect body from diseases, cancers as well as infections.
- Pistachios are an excellent source of vitamin-E, especially rich in gamma tocopherol; contain about 23g per100 g. vitamin E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, essential for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin; offers protection from harmful oxygen free radicals.
- The nuts are packed with many important B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates.
- These nuts are store house of minerals like copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium.
- Pistachio oil has flavorful nutty aroma and has an excellent emollient properties; helps to keep skin well protected from dryness. It has also been used in cooking, and as “carrier or base oil” in traditional medicines in massage therapy, aromatherapy, in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.
Just a hand full of pistachios a day provides enough recommended levels of phenolic anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins and protein.
Source:
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/pistachio.html
Kay CD, Gebauer SK, West SG, Kris-Etherton PM. Pistachios increase serum antioxidants and lower serum oxidized-LDL in hypercholesterolemic adults. J Nutr. 2010 Jun;140(6):1093-8. Epub 2010 Mar 31.
