34. Health Benefits of Pistachio By Allah Dad Khan

Weight Management

If you like snacking on nuts, you can control your weight by limiting your portions. The fiber content of the nuts may make them more filling, helping you to eat fewer calories later on in the day. A study published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" in June 2010 found that participants who consumed 240 calories worth of pistachios for 12 weeks lowered their body mass indexes and triglyceride levels more than those who consumed 220 calories worth of pretzels.

Nutrition

Pistachios contain fewer calories and more potassium and vitamin K per serving than other nuts. A 1-ounce serving of dry-roasted pistachios contains 160 calories, 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and 15 grams of fat, including only 2 grams of saturated fat. It also provides you with 25 percent of the daily value for vitamin B-6, 15 percent of the daily value for thiamine and phosphorus and 10 percent of the daily value for magnesium

Healthy Blood

Pistachios are an incredibly rich source of vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is essential to make hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen through the blood stream to cells, and is also shown to increase the amount of oxygen carried.

Immune System

A healthy immune system requires adequate intake of vitamin B6, which pistachios abound in. A surfeit of vitamin B6 can retard brain activity as well as decrease the effectiveness of the immune system for fighting infections. Vitamin B6 found in pistachios also helps the body make healthy red blood cells, and helps maintain the health of lymphoid glands, such as the thymus, spleen and lymph nodes, ensuring the production of white blood cells that defend the body from infections.

Skin Health

Pistachios are a great source of vitamin E, a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant, essential for maintaining the integrity of cell membranes and often recommended for healthy and beautiful skin. Vitamin E does an excellent job protecting the skin from UV damage, providing daily defense against premature aging and skin cancer.

Anti-inflammation properties:

Pistachio benefits include the presence of vitamin A, vitamin E and anti-inflammatory properties reducing the inflammation in the body caused due to any problems

Nervous System

The vitamin B6 so abundant in pistachios has wide-ranging effects on the nervous system. Messaging molecules called amines require amino acids to develop, which in turn rely on vitamin B6 for their creation. Furthermore, B6 plays a crucial role in the formation of myelin, the insulating sheath around nerve fibers that allows optimal messaging between nerves. Furthermore, vitamin B6 contributes to the synthesis of serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, an amino acid that calms the transmission of nerve impulses throughout the nervous system.

Eye Health

Pistachios contain two carotenoids not found in most nuts. These carotenoids, called lutein and zeaxanthin, function as protective antioxidants, defending tissues from damage from free radicals. They have been linked with a decrease in the risk for developing age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of visual impairments and acquired blindness in the United States.

Diabetes Help

Eating pistachios may help to prevent Type 2 diabetes. 60 percent of the recommended daily value of the mineral phosphorous is contained in just one cup of pistachios. As well as breaking down proteins into amino acids, phosphorous aids glucose tolerance.

Haemoglobin and blood:

Vitamin B6 is the protein that helps in carrying oxygen in the blood. The high quantity of B6 in pistachios if taken daily can increase the oxygen quantity in the blood and increase the haemoglobin count in it 

Healthy brain:

Vitamin B6, that is present in high quantity in pistachios helps in increasing the haemoglobin count in the blood. This oxygen rich blood is then supplied to the brain making it even more active

Healthy glands:

Glands like spleen, thymus, etc become healthier and work properly with good supply of blood containing more white blood cells (WBC) that is required to fight against infections

Healthy skin:

Vitamin E is very essential for a healthy skin and this anti-oxidant is present in pistachios. It integrates the cell membranes of the mucous membranes of the skin membranes. It protects skin from harmful UV rays, prevents from skin diseases and makes skin healthy and more beautiful (

Anti-ageing:

Vitamin E present in pistachios is helps fight ageing process of skin and making you look younger. oil present in this nut has emollient properties helping skin to moisturize and keep it from drying. It is used as aroma oil, medicinal massage oil etc 

Improves Vision:

Pistachios help promoting healthy vision and are highly recommended to those struggling with any vision related issues 

Fights Hair Loss:

Biotin deficiency is among the key factors contributing to hair loss. Pistachios contain considerable amount of biotin and their regular consumption may help you combat hair-loss effectively.

Stimulates Hair Growth:

Thanks to being the host of various hair benefiting fatty acids, pistachios stimulate the growth of healthy strands

Heart Health

Snacking on pistachios may help lower your cholesterol. Study participants who consumed a low-calorie diet with either 10 percent of their total calories or 20 percent of their total calories in the form of pistachios for four weeks lowered their cholesterol more than participants who followed the Step 1 diet for lowering cholesterol, according to a study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in September 2008. Pistachios also contain l-arginine, which can make the lining of your arteries more flexible and make it less likely you will develop blood clots that could cause a heart attack, and vitamin E, which makes it less likely your arteries will become clogged with plaque, notes MayoClinic.com.