Pista, which is also known as pistachio, is loaded with health benefits. It is often recommended by nutritionists in case you are low on nutrients. They can prove to be highly beneficial for your immune system as well as your general wellness if you consume them with caution.
The thing is that not only are they rich in antioxidants but they also contain unsaturated fatty acids and potassium. Pistachio can work wonders in reducing the chances of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, many may not be aware that the pista can also help to keep blood sugar cholesterol and blood pressure in check. Aside from this, the pista will further help you to increase the fibre and protein intake in the body as it will help the good bacteria to thrive in your body.
So, pista is not just a satisfying snack anymore, rather it can replenish you with the much-needed nutrients for your body. However, you must consume it exercising caution for if you do eat more than what is required as per your body and weight, the action may lead to unnecessary weight gain.
Are Pistachios good for weight loss?
Have you recently signed up for a weight loss program? And if yes, is it because you are fretting that you may have gained unrequired weight? Are you also worried about giving up your favourite food and the constant pangs of hunger that you have to experience during the weight loss process? Well, no need to worry when the pistachios are here as they are tailored- made for those who are on a diet for weight loss. You can munch on it whenever you feel hungry without having to worry about gaining weight. Since the pistachios have a lot of fibre, it always gives you a sense of fullness even when you eat them in meagre proportions. It is believed that the basic fat content in pistachios does not get fully absorbed which gives that sense of fullness.
Nutritional facts about Pista
Pista can help reduce the bad cholesterol levels in the blood, which are also known as LDL, and increase the amount of good cholesterol in the body, which is also known as HDL, thereby maintaining a balanced level of cholesterol in the blood.
Pista is a rich source of arginine, an essential amino acid that can reduce blood pressure. Patients having hypertension and heart ailments can consume a moderate amount of pistachio as part of their daily meal. It can help keep the heart vessels clean by flushing the bad cholesterol out and increasing the production of monounsaturated fatty acids in the body.
Pistachios can also help fight any kind of inflammation in the body. Due to its monosaturated fatty acid content, it can work wonders even in case of internal inflammation.
Pistas are rich sources of vitamin B6, which is very important to keep the immune system functioning for a long time. Since the immune system always needs to be strengthened to keep infections and diseases at bay, the consumption of pistachios daily can be a wise option to enhance the immune system of the body.
Pistachio milk has a high potassium content than any other non-dairy milk along with the phytosterols that makes it a powerhouse of antioxidants and heart-healthy fats.
The presence of vitamin B6 in pistachio contributes to the formation of myelin around the nerves which improves its functioning. Besides that, it also helps in the secretion of internal assets that soothes the nerves. This vitamin also helps to improve the haemoglobin production in the bloodstream
Pista benefit - high in antioxidants
Antioxidants are very essential for health as it contributes to the repairing of damaged cells and thereby reducing the chance of chronic ailments like cancer. Compared to other nuts and seeds, pistachios are known to have more antioxidants along with lutein and zeaxanthin both of which are essential antioxidants important for healthy eyesight. Very often the eye undergoes massive damage due to age-related macular degeneration and excessive exposure to blue light. With the high antioxidant quotient in the pistachios, this damage can be prevented keeping the central vision from deteriorating fast. Pistachio contains tocopherols and polyphenols in abundance which help to protect the heart from any severe illnesses.
Pista benefit - high in proteins
Very often people presume that nuts are very high in calories and hence avoid them from their regular diet plan. However, pistachios are one of those magic nuts which have the lowest calorie count. What makes it a very vital part of the nutritious diet of people is its high protein quotient. In fact, after almonds, pistachios are known to have the second position when it comes to protein content because of the higher ratio of essential amino acids present in them than any other nut. L-arginine is one of the semi-essential amino acids, two per cent of which can be obtained from pistachios themselves.
Pista benefit - beneficial for gut health
Pistachios or pista contains high fibre which boosts the number of bacteria in the gut that helps to keep the gut health in check. Gut bacteria are known to ferment the fibre from the food and convert it into short-chain fatty acids which have numerous health benefits including reduced possibilities of digestion ailment, intestinal disorders, and even heart disease. Pista helps to keep the good bacteria in the gut healthy and acts as prebiotics which improves the digestion system.
Pista benefit - helps to control sugar level
Pistachios have a low glycaemic index which makes them a very safe food for patients having diabetes. They can munch on a handful of pistachios whenever they want without worrying about their blood sugar levels going up. In fact, studies have revealed that eating pista regularly in a prescribed amount can even help to lower blood sugar levels. Besides that, pista is known to have glucose and insulin-lowering effects which makes it one of the best options for diabetic patients to snack on. Especially the individuals whose blood sugar levels are unnaturally high can include pistachios in their regular diet to see a considerable improvement in their health.
Side effects & allergies caused by pista
Just because pistachios are both delicious and healthy, their side effects cannot be overlooked. Eating too much of these can lead to bloating in the stomach followed by bowel problems. If you are unable to digest too much fibre there is a possibility of developing irritable bowel syndrome as well. Moreover, consuming too many pistachios can spike the blood pressure level as well which is quite risky for patients having a history of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Not only that, individuals who are allergic to nuts or are prone to developing allergies now and then can have their allergy triggered by eating pistachio. That is because pista is known to trigger moderate to severe IgE-mediated reactions in individuals who are prone to developing quick allergies.
Conclusion
If nuts are your favourite snack, it’s high time you include pista on your platter. It can either be consumed as a snack, salad garnish, or even pizza topping. Like all other snacks that used to be a must-have item during those lazy afternoons, pista is one such nut that is not only amazingly crunchy and fun bite-sized food but is also one of the healthiest of foods, and its nutritional value ranges from vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, folate, and minerals like copper, calcium phosphorus, and manganese.
With the recent work-from-home provisions, people are spending a lot of time sitting in front of the laptop and as a result, putting on weight while bingeing on high-calorie food due to erratic schedules. Nevertheless, when there is such a delicious snack to satiate your taste buds and your hunger, why not make the most of it?
FAQs
· Pistachios are prehistoric. They have been mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible which shows that they originated in Central Asia.
· The Pistacia vera tree hails from the cashew family which is also known as Anacardiaceae.
· According to the archaeologists, pistachio became an actual food as early as 7000 BC.
· In China, pistachio is known as the happy nut, and in Iran, it is known as the smiling nut.
· The entire family of nuts shows that the pista is considered to be the most colourful of the lot because of their interesting green and purple hues.