Nutritional value of pistachios
- Pistachios contain vitamin B6, which has a great part in reducing heart disease risks.
- The presence of thiamin or (vitamin B1) in pistachios helps in energy production as it transforms carbohydrates.
- Phytosterols in pistachios help in lowering cholesterol absorption.
- Presence of minerals like potassium helps in reducing harmful effects of sodium and helps to regulate the blood pressure.
- Magnesium in pistachios lowers the LDL levels in the body. It also contains enough fiber.
- Moreover, pistachios contain high amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that are proven to improve body cholesterol levels. It also promotes heart health.
- They also contain selenium and iron, along with healthy fats.
- Pistachios have high antioxidant content, containing lutein, gamma-tocopherol, and beta-carotene. The quantity is higher in pistachios than any other nuts. Each of these compounds is a form of vitamin and is important for body and skin health.
Various studies have proven the effect of Pistachios on High Cholesterol.
When tested with a group, regular consumption of pistachios showed significant improvement total cholesterol levels. Particularly, the level of LDL cholesterol got raised significantly. Moreover, it was found that pistachios fasten blood glucose levels. They also provided High Calories for energy production.
Consuming pistachios in moderate levels is said to have its toll on body cholesterol levels. Having about 2 handfuls of pistachio nuts for a month can increase your HDL or good cholesterol level by 15 percent. Pistachios, thus, keeps the adverse effects of bad cholesterol and triglycerides to minimum.
Moreover, pistachios are loaded with antioxidants. This prevent the oxidization of low-density lipoproteins, LDL or the “bad” cholesterol. The LDL oxidization causes inflammation and plaque formation within the arteries or blood vessels.
A Word for Care
- Pistachios can be a healthy snack for all ages to be added to your diet. However, make sure to use them minimally as they contain fatty acids.
- Since pistachios are high calorie snack, it also has high fat content. You need to limit your consumption accordingly. 3 ounces of pistachios nuts will provide you with whopping 400 calories for a day.
- The point that pistachios lowers cholesterol levels is backed up from the recent study. The good cholesterol levels rose after consumption of pistachios. However further study is required in this regard.