It is believed that humans have been consuming pistachios since 7000 BC. In Hindi, pistachio is known as pista. Pistachios, or pista, has a high content of nutrients such as fiber, antioxidants, protein, and good fats.
Pistachio is a versatile nut, and it can be consumed in several ways. This is the reason pistachios are widely consumed. Since they have all the essential vitamins and minerals, they are beneficial for health, hair, and skin in multiple ways.
Table of Contents
Watch: Benefits Of Pistachio
What Is A Pistachio?
Pistachio grows on a small tree that is cultivated in Central Asia and the Middle East. This tree produces a small-sized fruit that is consumed as food and is known as pistachio & benefits of Pistachio have a huge list.
Did you know pistachio belongs to the family of cashew?
Nutritional Facts Of Pistachio
| Energy | 562 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 27.51 g |
| Fat | 45.39 g |
| Protein | 20.27 g |
| Vitamin C | 5.6 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0% |
| Calcium | 105 mg |
| Phosphorus | 490 mg |
Source: USDA
Benefits Of Pistachio For Your Skin
1. Anti-Aging Properties
Pistachio is rich in Vitamin E, which is known to reduce the signs of aging. Pistachio nourishes the skin and protects it from harmful ultraviolet rays. Pistachio also ensures that your skin is free from fine lines, blemishes, and wrinkles. Pistachios can make you look younger and also brighten the skin.
2. Skin Moisturization
Since there is a high concentration of Vitamin E in pistachios, they are beneficial for those who have dry skin. Pistachios also have high fatty acids, which can easily treat dryness. It can also protect the skin from the ultraviolet rays of the Sun, which are amongst the main causes of various skin diseases nowadays.
Benefits Of Pistachio For Your Health
1. Treats Inflammation
Pistachios contain anti-inflammatory agents that handle and manage inflammation at the cellular level. Inflammation is one of the causes of heart diseases, hence, consumption of pistachios reduces the risk of heart diseases.
2. Enhancement Of Gut Health
Pistachios have probiotic properties that are responsible for encouraging gut flora. Pistachios also have dietary fibers and phytochemicals, which can manage bowel movements. This means pistachios also aid in preventing constipation.
3. Cancer Prevention
Due to the antioxidant properties of pistachio, it can neutralize the free radicals in your body, which are amongst the primary reasons for cancer, heart ailments, and various other diseases. It can also shield you from various infections as it is rich in Vitamin B6, increasing the white blood cells that help strengthen your fight against infections.
4. Improvement In Brain Health
The nutrients which are present in pistachios provide an adequate amount of oxygen to the blood, which means the blood would contain more white blood cells. White blood cells fight all infections or diseases in the body. Pistachio, which is a dry fruit, aids in the working of glands such as the spleen, thymus, etc.
Pistachio has a high content of Vitamin B6, which ensures there is an adequate amount of oxygen in the blood, which further increases the hemoglobin in the blood. All these things lead to a healthier brain function.
5. Aids In Working Of Nervous System
As mentioned earlier, pistachio has a high content of vitamin B6 which acts like a protein that is responsible for the transfer of nerve impulses which makes sure there is healthier functioning of the body. Pistachio ensures that there no serious disorders in the nervous system.
6. Improved Digestion
Pistachio is rich in dietary fiber, which aids in proper digestion. Since digestion and constipation are both common problems, remember, pistachio is your friend for its management and maybe even treatment.
7. Healthy Immune System
Due to the presence of vitamin B6 in pistachios, eating pistachios ensures that your immune system stays healthy.
8. Sharp Eyes
Pistachios can also improve or sharpen your vision. They have antioxidants, such as carotenoids, lutein, which lowers the levels of free radicals and protect the eyes.
9. Blood Sugar Regulation
Pistachio even has benefits for diabetic patients. Consumption of pistachios increases the good amount of nutrients in the body and controls the glucose intake in the body.
10. Weight Loss
Obesity and inactive lifestyles are significant concerns for many these days. Weight is an issue with many people. If you are following a weight-loss diet, you must add pistachios to your diet as a healthy snack because there is a lot of fiber in pistachios.
A diet rich in fiber ensures that you don’t feel hungry for a long time, reducing the food intake and keeping you away from unnecessary calorie intake between meals.
11. Healthy Heart
Since pistachios ensure the proper flow of oxygen in the blood, they aid in keeping your heart healthy. Pistachios must be consumed in the right quantity so that they are helpful in keeping your heart healthy.
Benefits Of Pistachio For Hair
1. Nourishment Of Hair
Eating pistachios can make our hair more flexible and strong. It is rich in biotin, which fights hair loss. Pistas can further nourish dry hair. You can also make a hair mask using pistachios for deeper nourishment.
Pistachios are known to hydrate hair and treat split ends so that there is no further damage caused to hair.
How Much Pistachio Can Be Consumed In A Day?
Experts and doctors say you must consume 1.5-3 ounces of pistachios each day, which means 1-2 handfuls of pistachios. It can be easily added to your diet as an alternative for snacks.
Side Effects Of Pistachio
Above mentioned are all the health benefits of pistachios. There are some side effects if pistachios are consumed in a large quantity:
- Overheating of the body
- Increase in sodium levels due to salted pistas
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Flatulence
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain
All these side effects mean that if pistachios are consumed adequately, the benefits of pistachios may turn into demerits of eating
pistachio.
Are Pistachios Really Healthy?
Pistachios are counted among the healthiest foods worldwide. With so many benefits, pistachios are an ideal addition to your healthy diet to make it healthier. There are also some myths that stop you from believing the fact that pistachios are really healthy.
Myths
- Even though people say that pistachios should be less consumed as they may lead to gain in weight, but if they are consumed properly along with a healthy diet, they do the opposite, i.e. weight loss.
- People often believe that pistachios are rich in sodium. They may increase the sodium levels, which means you must select unsalted pistachios for a low-sodium diet.
- If you snack on pistachios, it ruins your appetite. That’s not true. As long as they are consumed in a healthy way, they don’t ruin your appetite. They just help in stopping the food cravings.
Related Read : 7 Nutrient-Packed Dry-Fruits Options For Your Winter Diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some interesting FAQs on the Benefits of Pistachios :
1. How many Pistachios should one eat each day, and can it be consumed daily?
Yes, Pistachios can be eaten daily. Anything eaten in adequate amounts is beneficial for our body. Having half a cup of mixed dry fruits should include ⅛ cup of pistachio.
2. Does Pistachio help in sleeping?
Packed with minerals and vitamins, pistachios are known to be sleep-enabling nuts. Do not consume a lot as it’s high in calories, which will hinder sleep.
3. Are Pistachios high in Melatonin?
Yes, Pistachio is high in Melatonin. Most of the nuts like Pistachio and Almonds are high in Melatonin.
Quick Read : Know Everything About Pistachios Vs Almonds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pistachios are healthy! Just don’t pick the flavored ones! Those come with added sugar or salt, meaning lots of extra calories. Consumption of pistachios regularly may improve your health in a lot of ways. With the benefits that pistachios offer, don’t forget to eat only the adequate amount.