Are Pistachios Healthy? Here ’s What Experts Say

You can find the shelled green nuts everywhere, from airport kiosks to health food stores. But are pistachios as healthy as they’re cracked up to be? Here’s what the experts say. What are the nutrition facts of pistachios? Pistachios are packed with vitamins, minerals and nutrients, including beta carotene, phosphorus, vitamin B6, thiamine, potassium, magnesium and fiber. Compared to other nuts, they are also high in carotenoids, a type of antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of chronic disease and improves heart health, says registered dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick. You can also eat a lot of them in just one serving, which is one ounce, or 49 pistachios. “Compared to other nuts, this is a lot of nuts per one-ounce serving,” says registered dietitian Melissa Majumdar, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “One ounce of walnuts is only 14 walnut halves.” Both raw and roasted pistachios contain a lot of fat: about 13 grams, which is 17% of the recommended daily total. But most of it is monounsaturated fat, a heart-healthy type that can help lower levels of bad cholesterol. Pistachios are also a good source of protein; a serving contains about 6 grams. What are the health benefits of pistachios? You really can’t go wrong with nuts. “All nuts are healthy because they are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat,” says Kirkpatrick. “Studies ...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Diet/Nutrition healthytime Source Type: news