Pistachios are not only a delicious type of nut, but also a source of many healthy properties. Of course, this is all thanks to their complete nutritional values. They offer us so many benefits that they cover almost all of the functions of the body.
So, discover the reasons that you should eat them every day in this article.
Although all nuts are very healthy and nutritious foods, pistachios especially stand out because of their complete nutritional values and the great benefits they offer for our body.
They are one of the nuts with most fiber and fats, and they are also rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and essential fatty acids.
This nut is native to the East and has been eaten for thousands of years. Currently, the country that produces most pistachios is Iran.
In this article we will highlight the main health properties of this delicious nut.
They are diuretic
Thanks to their high potassium content, eating pistachios promotes the elimination of liquids.
This helps us to lose weight and reduce the swelling that we tend to suffer from especially in the stomach and legs. This is also effective in cases of edemas.
They promote good cardiovascular health
Pistachios are an excellent remedy for preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Thanks to their high content of phytosterols, arginine, resveratrol and lutein, this nut:
- Reduces high blood pressure
- Reduces cholesterol
- Cares for the muscles of the heart
- Prevents arteriosclerosis.
They balance the nervous system
Pistachios stand out for their high magnesium content, a mineral which nourishes the nervous system to balance it.
In this way, we can prevent disorders like anxiety, nervousness, depression, stress and insomnia.
They are antioxidants
This nut contains high levels of antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and resveratrol.
These nutrients protect us from the damage caused by free radicals, both at the cellular level and externally. In this way we prevent premature aging.
They are slimming
How can a nut, rich in fat and calories, help us lose weight? If we eat them in moderation, nuts are very nutritious foods, rich in fiber and soluble fats.
As a result, when we eat them we feel full, we accelerate the metabolism and we reduce the cravings to eat harmful fats.
They have anti-diabetic properties
Among their virtues, pistachios stand out for being the best nut for preventing type 2 diabetes, thanks to their high content of betacarotenes, procyanidins and fiber.
This is because regularly eating them reduces the levels of sugar in the blood and improves resistance to insulin.
They ensure health vision
Their lutein, riboflavin and zeaxanthin content makes pistachios an excellent remedy to prevent and improve sight problems.
They are laxatives
Pistachios are very rich in fiber, a nutrient that favors and regulates intestinal function.
In this way, and together with a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, we can resolve constipation.
They have aphrodisiac properties
This superfood can also help us improve our sex life.
Thanks to their high levels of healthy fats, antioxidants and sterols, among other nutrients, pistachios increase the libido and improve the function of the sexual organs.
They are anti-carcinogenic
The antioxidants founds in pistachios, like vitamin E and resveratrol, also help us to prevent some kinds of cancer, like for example lung cancer.
They prevent neurodegenerative problems
Eating pistachios is a natural and delicious way of preventing neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
This is due to the powerful antioxidant resveratrol, which they contain.
They prevent anemia
Pistachios are a food rich in iron, a mineral that we should eat daily to prevent ferropenic anemia.
However, we recommend following a varied diet and also eating vitamin C (citrus fruits, peppers, etc.) to improve the absorption of iron.
How many should we eat a day?
Nuts form part of a healthy, balanced diet. However, we should eat them in moderation because they are very nutritious foods.
In general, it is recommended to eat a handful of nuts a day. However, in the case of pistachios, it is recommended to eat 49 nuts a day, which corresponds to 30 grams without the shells.
Also, we should remember that it’s best to eat them without salt to avoid excess sodium in the body, which would take away some of the benefits of this nut.