They are small, green, and incredibly tasty: pistachios contain a lot of nutrients and have a positive effect on health. Among other things, they lower blood fat levels and blood sugar levels. They also help with weight loss. Read more about the properties and benefits of buying pistachio here, which centuries ago was considered a delicacy by many kings.
The Origin of Pistachios
There is a presumption that the Middle East is the home of the pistachio since it has been cultivated there since ancient times. Stone fruits used to be the food of kings and were reputed to be a remedy for things like toothache or cirrhosis of the liver.
Gradually, pistachios became a popular food for travelers, traders, and the general public due to their long shelf life and high nutritional content. Nowadays the biggest suppliers of pistachios are the USA, Turkey, Iran, and China.
The small green seeds with the hard shell and crunchy core grow on the Pistacia vera tree. This grows up to 12 meters high and roots down to a depth of 15 meters.
Botanically, pistachios are drupes. They are encased in a green layer that hides the stone core. It has a hard shell that cracks open on the side a few weeks before maturity. The nucleus is discolored yellowish or green inside. The rule of thumb is the greener the stone, the higher the quality of the pistachio.
Keep reading to find out about the benefits of buying pistachio!
Health Properties and Nutritious Value of Buying Pistachios
Pistachios are a superlative snack: Half of them consist of unsaturated fatty acids, are rich in protein and fiber, and contain phytochemicals that have an anti-inflammatory function in the body.
Eating a portion of pistachios consumes 165 calories. One serving is 30 grams or 49 pieces. For comparison, the same number of walnuts (seven pieces) contains 195 calories, a serving of almonds (22 pieces) has 176 calories, and a serving of hazelnuts (20 pieces) has 191 calories.
Several studies have shown that pistachios have a positive effect on the treatment and prevention of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and associated cardiovascular diseases.
Buying Pistachio Protects Against Cardiovascular Diseases
Pistachios play a role in protecting against cardiovascular disease. This is partly due to their high content of unsaturated fatty acids and potassium.
Unsaturated fatty acids are good for blood vessels and the heart. They also ensure that the so-called LDL cholesterol value decreases. LDL cholesterol is particularly unhealthy for the body. The higher the proportion, the greater the likelihood of deposits in the vessel walls – and thus the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Potassium ensures a regular heart rhythm. It is also involved in regulating blood pressure. The World Health Organization now recommends an increased supply of potassium for high blood pressure (hypertension).
Pistachios also contain gamma-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E) as well as phytosterols and xanthophyll carotenoids. The latter are phytochemicals known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
But that’s not all: pistachios have a positive effect on blood lipid levels and keep triglyceride levels low. Triglycerides are neutral fats that are stored in adipose tissue. If they are present in large quantities, the risk of cardiovascular diseases and obesity increases.
People with type 2 diabetes mellitus also usually have elevated triglyceride levels and therefore benefit from buying pistachio.
Pistachios Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Pistachios help regulate blood sugar levels. A study showed that 50 grams of pistachios a day lowered blood sugar levels in diabetics by up to nine percent. The subjects ate a number of pistachios together with carbohydrate-containing foods such as rice and pasta.
If healthy people combined a high-carbohydrate diet with 50 grams of pistachios a day, their blood sugar levels dropped by up to 30 percent after eating.
Pistachios Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Because pistachios contain gamma-tocopherol, buying pistachio may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including lung cancer. The reason: Gamma-tocopherol belongs to the vitamin E family and serves as a radical scavenger. It protects against cell aging.
These are the results of a study from the USA. The subjects consumed 68 grams of pistachios in addition to their diet for six weeks, thereby significantly increasing their intake of gamma-tocopherol.
Vitamin E is also found in walnuts, pecans, and olive oil. When cooking, it is important to note that it only lasts up to 140 degrees.
Buying Pistachio Supports Muscle Building
Pistachios are high-quality protein suppliers. 100 grams of pistachios contain 16 grams of protein. This macromolecule is vital for the body and determines the structure, function, and metabolism of our tissue.
Proteins are found in every cell and are involved in the formation and maintenance of muscles – during growth, during pregnancy, and after exercise.
Pistachios Help You Lose Weight
Buying pistachio helps you lose weight. That sounds strange at first because nuts have a high-fat content. However, there are many healthy fats in pistachios, such as the unsaturated fatty acids already mentioned.
Thanks to their high-fat content, pistachios keep you full for a long time. In addition, your fat is not completely absorbed by the body. Good fat also burns fat deposits in our bodies. This was found, among other things, by a scientific study by Washington University.
Note, however: do not eat the pistachios as well if you want to lose weight, rather replace an unhealthier snack with them. For orientation: The recommended daily portion of pistachios has about 150 calories. This corresponds to a candy bar or a portion of chips.
Buying Pistachio During Pregnancy
Pistachios contain folic acid. Specifically: 60 µg per 100 grams. The B vitamin is particularly important during pregnancy. According to the German Nutrition Society, the recommended daily dose for men and women is 300 micrograms of folic acid. Pregnancy increases the requirement, during this time 550 micrograms per day are recommended. Breastfeeding women need about 450 micrograms per day.
It is very difficult to meet this need with pistachios and other foods. Therefore, pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as those who want to have children should take dietary supplements with folic acid.
Where Should I Buy Pistachios From?
The products of Sharona Trading Group are produced on the best farms in Iran with the guarantee of product quality, taking into account the standards of the world, and pistachio is one of the dry fruits that is available in this store.
For more information on buying pistachio, you can contact us at +982122179204.
