One of the most loved shell nuts– pistachios have been an inseparable part of Indian cuisine, but do you know eating these little nuts daily may improve heart health. The green colored superfood is loaded with a high concentration of antioxidants when compared to other nut varieties. As per a study conducted by Cornell University these antioxidant rich nuts may help in maintaining good health, a strong heart and healthy blood vessels, support an active lifestyle and reduce the risk of nutrition-related diseases.

Why pistachios?

Pistachios are naturally loaded with nutrients like melatonin, fiber, vitamin E, minerals like potassium and magnesium, antioxidants including polyphenols, carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, phytochemicals to keep the immune system strong. Adding pistachios to a healthy diet may help maintain healthy blood pressure, lower levels of cholesterol and other measures of oxidative damage.

What experts suggest

As per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) it has been observed that tree nuts, like pistachios, must be considered as a part of a heart healthy diet. Various studies have also looked at the effects of eating pistachios on cardiovascular health. And how a calorie-controlled amount of pistachios as part of a heart healthy diet daily to lower the risk of heart diseases by:

Lowering total cholesterol

Increasing antioxidants in the blood and decreasing oxidized-LDL. Daily intake of heart healthy foods may help in decreasing small dense LDL and increasing phytosterol levels in the blood which helps lower blood cholesterol by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines during digestion and reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by the body

Providing beneficial anti-inflammatory properties
Reducing stress by lowering blood pressure, heart rate and peripheral vascular responses. In addition, given their interesting nutritional composition, various studies have recognized the association between nut consumption and the incidence of, and mortality from, certain CVD outcomes. According to a study by BMC Medicine, consumption of nuts has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health and for those who ate more than three servings of nuts, including pistachios, per week may lower the mortality risk by 39%. Regularly eating pistachios, not more than 1 oz a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may lower the risk of heart disease and help improve health and wellbeing.

Article by: American Pistachios