Pistachios have long been loved for their taste but they are also surprisingly good for you. Pistachios are packed with nutrients that promote heart health, encourage weight loss and contribute to overall well-being.

Benefits of eating pistachios

• Heart healthy
• Great for your skin
• Contributes to weight loss
• Diabetic friendly
• Promotes eye health

What makes pistachios so great?

Pistachios originated in the Middle East and slowly made their way around the world to become a widely popular nut. Pistachios are high in Oleic acid, the same healthy fatty acid that is found in olive oil. They also have numerous antioxidants that help fight the free radicals that cause disease and aging. 

• Pistachios provide support for your cardiovascular system, especially for diabetics Pistachios have been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce vascular restriction during stressful activities. These nuts also contain l-arginine, an amino acid helpful in keeping your cardiovascular system strong. A study found that those who have high cholesterol and ate two servings of nuts per day could reduce their risk of heart disease more than eating whole grains. Diabetics are at high risk for heart disease and that makes pistachios a great food choice

• Pistachios have super antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy These incredible nuts contain vitamin A, E and lutein all helpful in increasing the antioxidant levels in blood that in turn reduces LDL cholesterol as well as supporting eye health. Pistachios also have vitamin k, potassium, magnesium, phytosterols and cartenoids all essential to keep your body and heart in shape. Pistachios even have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and inflammation

• Pistachios can help you lose weight, especially fat around the middle Pistachios have healthy fats as well as protein and fibre that promote weight loss. A 24-week long study showed that those who ate pistachios lost 0.7 inches from their waistline, lowered their cholesterol by 15 points and had better blood sugar levels. Eating pistachios can satisfy hunger longer than processed or high carbohydrate foods making them a good choice for weight loss

How to add Pistachios to your diet

A half-cup or about 50 pistachios is considered to be 1 serving. One cup has 26 grams of protein, 13 grams of carbohydrates and 56 grams of fat. In comparison, Macadamia nuts have almost twice the fat, more carbs and less than half the protein. Worried about eating too many nuts? Try putting all of your shells in a dish where you can see them. This creates a conscious visual reminder of how many nuts you’ve eaten.

Picky Pistachios

Pistachios are picky nuts, as they need to be processed in a 24-hour time frame to preserve their best qualities. Pistachios are targets for aflatoxin, a carcinogenic mould, and as such they may be treated with chemicals or soaked in bleach to prevent mold formation. Either method destroys many of the nuts nutritional values and exposes you to chemicals such as methyl bromide, phosphine and chlorine. Choose organic, raw, non-roasted, non-dyed, non-chemical treated and in the shell nuts for the most benefit. 'Ask a naturopath' for about more ways nuts can help you lose weight and be healthy.