What are the benefits of pistachio nuts?

Who likes pistachio nuts? Usually, pistachio nuts are a souvenir after visiting from the holy land. Because of their sweet and savory taste, pistachio nuts are also often used as an ingredient in various dessert snacks.

But you know, behind the delicious taste, there are a number of good benefits that can be obtained from consuming pistachio nuts.

Health benefits of pistachios

Nuts, which are the seeds of the Pistacia vera tree, have a lot of nutrients and vitamins that are useful for maintaining the health of your body. Check out the explanation below.

1. Blood circulation

A serving of pistachio nuts weighing 30 grams can meet about 28% of the total intake of vitamin B6 needed in one day. Vitamin B6 contained in pistachio nuts has the benefit of increasing the flow of oxygen to the blood to the body's cells.

Adequate oxygen flow will protect the body's tissue cells from disease and maintain the body's immune system to stay healthy.

Vitamin B6 can also help control homocysteine levels in the blood. High levels of homocysteine in the body can increase the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Therefore, intake of vitamin B6 from pistachios will help prevent it.

2. Contains antioxidants

Among other types of nuts, pistachios have more antioxidants. Some of these include vitamin E, polyphenols, and carotenoids.

Antioxidants act as body protectors from free radicals. Of course, free radicals are not completely bad because sometimes the body uses them to fight infections. However, if they are in excess, free radicals can cause cell damage that can lead to diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, and cancer.

Therefore, the presence of antioxidants will neutralize the presence of free radicals and prevent damage to cells in the body. Want to get the benefits? Consumption of pistachios is one way.

3. Low glycemic index of pistachio nuts

Pistachios are higher in carbohydrates than other types of nuts. However, you don't need to worry because consumption of pistachio nuts will not have a bad impact on your blood sugar levels.

Apart from being high in fiber and antioxidants, pistachio nuts have a low glycemic index. When food has a low glycemic index, it means that the process of converting the food into glucose takes a very long time. As a result, this will reduce glycemia levels which can lower your risk of developing diabetes.

4. Helps maintain weight

Nuts are an energy food that has a high fat content. It is for this reason that many think that consumption of nuts can lead to obesity. In fact, no association was seen between pistachio consumption and weight gain.

Several studies that have examined the effects of pistachios have shown that consumption of these nuts has no effect on body weight or increases in body mass index values.

A study in 2012 showed the opposite result. In that study, a group of people who consumed approximately 50 grams of pistachio nuts for more than 12 weeks actually experienced a decrease in body mass index twice as much as the other group who consumed pretzels.

5. Helps maintain eye health

Still related to their antioxidant content, pistachio nuts contain carotenoids in the form of lutein and zeaxanthin, which in fact can provide benefits for eye health.

In the eye, there is a crystal lens that functions to collect and focus light on the retina of the eye. In order to continue to function properly, the lens must be kept clear to keep it clear. When a person has cataracts, this lens is affected and results in blurred vision.

Cataracts can be caused by oxidation which is still associated with free radicals. To prevent this, the eyes need lutein and zeaxanthin.

Unfortunately, the body cannot produce these antioxidants alone. So, the way you can do this is by consuming foods that contain antioxidants such as pistachio nuts. Not only prevent cataracts, pistachio nuts can also help prevent macular degeneration that often attacks older people.

Those are some of the benefits offered by pistachio nuts. Interested in adding it to your list of favorite snacks?