Pistachios - the benefits and harms, the rate of use, how to choose?

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Pistachios - the benefits and harms, the rate of use, how to choose?
Pistachios - the benefits and harms, the rate of use, how to choose?
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The benefits and harms of pistachios

pistachios
pistachios

Pistachio is the seed of the pistachio tree fruit, but the popular opinion is that it is a nut. The pistachio tree is one of the oldest fruit-bearing plants in human history. Its height reaches up to 10 meters and can live up to 400 years.

Each nut is a concentrate of valuable substances, vitamins and microelements. Pistachios contain bioactive energy-rich substances that support and ensure human he alth.

The benefits of pistachios for the human body

The value of these nuts for human he alth is undeniable, it has been known for a long time. Even in an era of food availability, pistachios can have a positive effect on well-being due to their components.

Composition and calorie content

  • Fat: 44.9g
  • Proteins: 21.0 g
  • Carbs: 28g
  • Water: 3.9g
  • Ash: 2.9g
  • Fiber: 10.3g

Vitamins (per 100g):

Quantity

%RDA

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 1.7mg 85%
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 0.87mg 51, 2%
Lutein + Zeaxanthin 1405 mcg 23, 4%
Vitamin B7 (biotin) 10 mcg 20%
Vitamin B4 (choline) 90mg 18%
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 2, 3mg 15, 3%
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) 51 mcg 12, 8%
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) 0.52mg 10, 4%

Minerals (per 100g):

Quantity

%RDA

Vanadium 170 mcg 425%
Bor 200 mcg 285, 7%
Silicon 50mg 166, 7%
Manganese 1200, 0-3800 mcg 125%
Copper 500, 0-1300 mcg 90%
Phosphorus 490mg 61, 3%
Cob alt 5 mcg 50%
Zirconium 25 mcg 50%
Selenium 7-50 mcg 43, 8%
Potassium 1025 mg 41%
Molybdenum 25 mcg 35, 7%
Magnesium 121mg 30, 3%
Nickel 40 mcg 26, 7%
Iron 3, 92mg 26, 1%
Strontium 200 mcg 25%
Zinc 2200-2800 mcg 20, 8%
Rubidium 20, 2 mcg 20, 2%
Chrome 6, 9 mcg 13, 8%
Sulfur 100mg 10%

Full chemical composition ➤

Other important connections:

  • Phytosterols - 214mg (389.1% RDA)
  • Purines - 32.6mg (26.7% RDA)
  • Oxalic Acid - 49mg (12.3% RDA)

Useful properties of pistachios

Benefits of pistachios for the body
Benefits of pistachios for the body
  • Vitamin PP - stimulates digestion and normalizes the hormonal background of the human body, is taken to prevent the formation of cholesterol and remove atherosclerotic plaques, stimulates blood formation.
  • Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - supports the activity of the organism subjected to significant loads: athletes, pregnant women, those who perform heavy physical work, the elderly. It activates mental activity, restores strength after a serious illness and surgery. Like other B vitamins, thiamine helps prevent insomnia and strengthens the nervous system.
  • Vitamin B2(riboflavin) – maintains firmness and elasticity of the skin, promotes the conversion of nutrients substances from food into energy. Riboflavin promotes tissue regeneration, normalization of the nervous system.
  • Vitamin B5(pantothenic acid), or "the architect of slender forms" - helps burn excess fat, absorb other vitamins, which is especially valuable in old age.
  • Vitamin B6(pyridoxine) - normalizes blood sugar levels, preventing jumps glucose, promotes the absorption of fatty acids, normalizes metabolism in brain tissues. In combination with other vitamins, it heals the cardiovascular and nervous system, which is the prevention of ischemia, myocardial infarction, and atherosclerosis.
  • Vitamin B9(folic acid) - essential during pregnancy to prevent severe malformations of the fetus, strengthens the immune system, normalizes the functioning of the liver, hematopoietic system, digestion.
  • Vitamin E (tocopherol) - slows down the aging process, makes the skin smooth and elastic, protecting it from pigmentation, normalizes blood pressure and blood clotting.

The fiber in pistachios improves intestinal motility, helps cleanse the body of toxins. Lutein, which is part of their composition, increases visual acuity.

Pistachios have a very valuable quality - they are a strong aphrodisiac that increases libido.

These fruits reduce the heart rate with tachycardia, help with diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The use of pistachios is very useful for those who work under regular stress, as well as for those who need an increased level of brain activity. You can count on pistachios to normalize sleep, relieve nervousness, irritability, and feelings of fatigue.

The benefits of pistachios for various diseases

The benefits of pistachios for various diseases
The benefits of pistachios for various diseases
  • Diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Positive results in cardiovascular diseases are due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acids in it. According to a two-stage "blind" study conducted over 3 weeks, the level of "bad" cholesterol decreased by 12%. This key factor in the development of diseases of the heart and blood vessels can be reduced by the use of polyunsaturated fats and nut fiber, which is abundant in pistachios.

    According to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, eating pistachios by 10-20% increases the level of such a valuable trace element as potassium, which is extremely useful for lowering blood pressure and normalizing fat metabolism in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

    According to medical research, another cause of heart disease can be inflammation in the blood vessels. The antioxidants contained in pistachios (especially lutein) reduce the intensity of inflammatory processes even with moderate. about their use.

  • Maintain visual acuity. One serving of pistachios contains 343 mcg of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxatnin, which are essential for perfect vision, which is a very good indicator. In addition, the beta-carotene contained in pistachios is converted through biochemical reactions into vitamin A, which supports excellent vision.
  • Fight against aging. The fat-soluble antioxidant found in pistachios protects the body from lipid peroxides, which are formed when anti-aging antioxidants are deficient. For such effectiveness, it is necessary that pistachios occupy at least 1/5 of the total caloric content in the diet.
  • Anti-diabetic properties The antioxidants in pistachios slow down or completely stop protein glycation, which leads to acid-base imbalance in the body, the appearance of diabetes, which destroys the tissues of the human body.

Pistachios are best eaten raw for their valuable qualities, although roasted pistachios are also beneficial. They are added to desserts, salads, halva, meat dishes.

Benefits of pistachios for women and men

The benefits of pistachios for women
The benefits of pistachios for women

These nuts are able to slightly stop the aging process of the human body, maintain skin, hair, nails in optimal condition.

In cosmetology around the world, the properties of pistachio oil are highly valued for the preparation of anti-aging baths, lotions and compresses.

The high calorie content of pistachios allows them to be used in diet food as a snack (no more than 30 g) to cheer up, reduce hunger, and normalize appetite.

Pistachios gently cleanse the intestines, promote the burning of excess fat.

There are partial restrictions on the use of pistachios by pregnant and lactating women in large quantities so as not to cause an allergy attack.

Pistachios have an exciting and tonic effect on the male body, increasing potency and libido.

Pistachios are the strongest aphrodisiac known for a long time. To get the effect, it is enough to eat a handful of nuts a day

According to a study conducted by British scientists, the regular use of pistachios has a positive effect on the motor activity of spermatozoa, improves sperm quality. These properties are very useful for couples seeking to conceive a child.

How are pistachios used?

How are pistachios used?
How are pistachios used?
  • As a snack with beer or as an addition to desserts and other dishes Most of all, pistachios are known as a delicious snack with beer. But besides this, pistachios are used in the food industry, as an ingredient in ice cream and sweets. They are added to ice cream and salads for a delicious flavor.
  • In cosmetology. Pistachio oil is used in cosmetology, both in pure form and in combination with essential oils and jojoba oil. Pistachio oil has a strengthening effect on the hair roots, so it is used when weakening the hair follicles. In addition, under the influence of oil, the hair becomes shiny and strong.
  • Pistachio oil In combination with essential oils of orange, rose, chamomile, the use of pistachio oil helps to refresh the complexion, get rid of mimic wrinkles. The same mixture, combined with a cuticle and nail plate massage, will relieve brittle nails and strengthen them.

Harmful of pistachios

S alted nuts will worsen the condition of patients with hypertension, kidney disease, swelling of the extremities. In children under 7 months and in lactating women, pistachios can cause allergies and, as a complication, anaphylactic shock.

To prevent complications in the form of allergic rhinitis, skin rashes, digestive disorders, nausea and dizziness, it is better to observe moderation in the use of pistachios.

Also keep in mind that pistachios can accumulate the toxic trace element strontium (100 g - 25% of the allowable daily allowance).

Are pistachios bad for kids?

These nuts are a very powerful allergen, dangerous to the he alth of a small child. You can start using them from the age of 5, although at 3 years old you can try to introduce them into the diet, starting with one thing. If itching occurs, you should beware of manifestations such as anaphylactic shock and stop using this product immediately.

Pistachios have very valuable properties that are extremely beneficial for the development of children - increasing immunity, forming a he althy nervous system, so they are a recommended product in the diet of older preschoolers and schoolchildren.

Where and how do pistachios grow?

Where and how pistachios grow
Where and how pistachios grow

The pistachio tree grows in Asia and Northwest Africa. It reaches a small size, belongs to the genus of deciduous trees of the Sumach family. In culture, there are about 20 varieties of pistachios. The plant loves light and soil rich in calcium. The tree easily tolerates drought and low temperatures down to -25 °C.

Features of pistachio cultivation:

  • The plant is most often a tapeworm, that is, it grows separately, a pistachio forest is formed very rarely.
  • It has a multi-stemmed, dense and low crown.
  • Pistachio roots are located in 2 tiers, they go 15 m into the soil, 40 m wide, which allows the tree to stay on the slopes of the mountains, where pistachios often grow.
  • The tree has a thick silvery bark, covered with small cracks. There is a wax coating on the leaves and branches of the tree.
  • For high yields, you need to have trees with male and female flowers nearby, up to 10 females can be planted per 1 male plant.
  • Pistachio blooms in April with red-yellow small flowers, bears fruit in September with bunches of fruits that look like a bunch of grapes.
  • Pistachio fruit is a drupe up to 25 mm long. When ripe, it cracks with a snap, revealing an oily, greenish core. Its fragrant taste allows pistachios to be used in various industries - from medicine to cosmetology.
  • If the pistachio grows under optimal conditions, it grows up to 5 meters, lives 400 years.

How to choose good pistachios?

Ripe pistachios have a green core and an open shell, and the greener the core, the tastier it is. The inner shell of the nucleus is beige. The red color of the shell is applied artificially to mask a defect in the shell that appears during manual harvesting. When assembled by machine, the shell remains intact, it does not need to be painted. Redness may appear on roasted pistachios after marinating them in a s alty lemon marinade. The smell of mold in pistachios is a sign of poor quality.

How to properly store pistachios?

In order for this crop to retain its healing properties, it is advisable to eat pistachios fresh, not s alted or fried. So that polyunsaturated acids, which are abundant in pistachios, do not go rancid, nuts are stored for no more than 3 months in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Peeled fruits used in cooking can be stored for up to 6 months in the freezer.

Norms for eating pistachios

In order not to expose yourself to the action of essential oils that manifest themselves as nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, dizziness, it is undesirable to eat more than 30 nuts a day.

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