Pistachio properties
Pistachio properties
The pistachio is a dried fruit that has provided nutrition for millennia. its crunchy texture and slightly sweet flavorIt's such a versatile fruit that, in addition to delighting the palate, it's also capable of delighting the eyes and providing generous amounts of protein, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Nature gives it to us wrapped in a semi-open beige shell which reveals ua core of a green color, so striking and bright that it has proven perfect for decorating and providing contrasts in countless culinary creations. Furthermore, thanks to its high nutritional value, pistachios promote overall well-being in a multitude of ways.
For this reason and more, pistachios are in growing global demand in the food and cosmetics industries, especially for the production of functional foods, clean-label products, and nutricosmetics.
In this post we present the properties of pistachios which makes it one of the most complete and versatile fruits in existence. We detail its qualities and characteristics that make it attractive to various industries.
Nutritional attributes of pistachios
Pistachios are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phenolic compounds.
Among nuts, pistachios have a high level of vitamins, carotenoids, and minerals. They contain no cholesterol and a high level of unsaturated fats, mostly monounsaturated fats, such as oleic acid.
According to research published by the University of Cambridge, the main nutrients and compounds that pistachios present are the following:
- Vitamins and mineralsPistachios contain large amounts of:
- Minerals, such as magnesium, manganese, copper, calcium, zinc, selenium, etc.
- Vitamins, such as vitamin A, C, K and E. In addition, it contains all the B vitamins (except B12), especially high levels of vitamin B1 (thiamine) and B6 (pyridoxine).
- Phenolic compoundsPistachios contain phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, stilbenes, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins, which are micronutrients with significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties.
- Carotenoids.Pistachios contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids responsible for the color of this fruit and which have antioxidant properties.
- FiberPistachios are rich in fiber. A 28-gram serving of pistachios provides approximately 3 g of fiber.
- ProteinApproximately 20% of a pistachio's weight is plant protein. This portion contains about 2% L-arginine, an amino acid that helps the body generate protein.
Do you want to buy pistachio plants?
Main properties of pistachios and how they are used by the industry
Pistachios are used by numerous industries for their health benefits.
Although they are small in size, pistachios represent a nutrient pump and benefits for the body. This, together with its unique flavor and attractive color, has led to the industry to use this dried fruit in the preparation of functional foods, in confectionery and in the production of ice cream, snacks, chocolates, etc.
In addition, it is marketed in different forms: chopped, sliced, pastes, and oils. Furthermore, it is also being used to make productos cosméticos for skin protection or hair beautification.
Let's see the different properties what these nuts offer for health and why they are in such high demand.
Antioxidant properties
Antioxidants are vital substances for health; they prevent cell damage and contribute to reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Because pistachios are rich in phenolic compounds and carotenoids, they are a source of antioxidants that act in a variety of ways. For example:
- Lutein and zeaxanthin They are antioxidants associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and other serious conditions. They are also substances that help protect eye health and improve vision.
- Phenolic compounds of pistachios can protect the body from cardiovascular diseases and balance blood glucose levels.
A recent investigation by the Cornell University in New York has confirmed that pistachios have a high antioxidant capacity, which helps maintain proper body function and acts against the proliferation of cancer cells.
Cardioprotective properties
60% of the total fat content of pistachios is made up of fatty acids with cardiovascular preventive properties, such as oleic and linoleic fatty acids. In addition, antioxidants and minerals, such as zinc and selenium, abundant in pistachios, also play a role in heart protection.
These fruits can act in different ways to reduce the risk of heart disease. For example:
- They reduce total cholesterol in the blood, decreasing LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol.
- They balance blood pressure values.
- They promote blood vessel health because they activate vasodilation to improve blood flow.
Prebiotic properties
Prebiotic and anti-inflammatory properties of pistachios.
Due to the high fiber content of pistachios, this nut can act as a prebioticSpecifically, its fiber travels through the digestive system to be digested by the good bacteria in the gut. These bacteria then ferment the fiber and convert it into acids (such as butyrate) that benefit your health, helping to:
- Reduce the likelihood of developing digestive disorders.
- Reduce the risk of colon cancer and heart disease.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Thanks to the content of antioxidants, monounsaturated fatty acids and the high amount of γ-tocopherol (one of the many natural forms of vitamin E), pistachios helps reduce inflammation.
For example, this property allows to control certain ailments, such as arthritis. It also helps to reduce inflammation in the airways and speed up their recovery
Antidiabetic properties
Pistachios have a low glycemic index, so their consumption does not cause spikes in blood sugar. In fact, one of the studies published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information of the United States concluded that:
- Pistachio can significantly reduce blood sugar on an empty stomach. It also improves insulin resistance in people with metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes.
antiviral properties
Pistachios provide large amounts of magnesium, selenium and zinc, essential minerals for strengthen the immune systemIn addition, the presence of vitamin B6 and protein helps this system function at its full potential.
Properties that improve sexual and reproductive health
As explained, pistachio consumption helps improve vasodilation and therefore blood flow. This is important for various bodily functions, including improving erectile function.
- Various studies, such as those carried out by professionals in the Rovira i Virgili University of Catalonia and the Sant Joan University Hospital in Reus, They associate regular consumption of pistachios with increased sexual desire and improved orgasmic function in men.
antimicrobial properties
Numerous studies have demonstrated the antimicrobial properties of pistachios. For example:
- professionals Norwich Food Research Institute (United Kingdom) concluded that pistachio extract has a great bactericidal effect that makes it useful for:
- Use in food safety.
- Topical treatment of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium responsible for various skin and respiratory tract infections.
- Researchers University of Messina in Italy They discovered that the phenolic compounds present in pistachio extracts are ideal candidates for developing new oral and topical drugs for the treatment of HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus) infections.
Properties that improve skin health
Pistachios are endowed with powerful antioxidants and large amounts of vitamins A and E that prevent dry skin and combat cellular aging. In addition, these nuts help protect the skin from UV rays and prevent diseases or conditions.
Various properties of pistachios are exploited by the cosmetics industry to create products for topical application on the face and hair. For example, pistachio cosmetic oil It is a powerful antioxidant and natural moisturizer for skin and hair.
A partner for growing high-quality pistachios
To take advantage of the properties of pistachios, it is essential to have high-quality production.
En Agróptimum We have a trained technical team and state-of-the-art machinery to respond quickly and efficiently to each of your plantation needs, at any stage of the production cycle. We also carry out all the necessary analyses and studies for the implementation and management of your pistachio planting project.
This service is specially designed for you to obtain maximum profitability of those lands that are insufficiently exploited or are not being used due to the lack of time to dedicate to working the land.
If you want a profitable and sustainable plantation, contact us. At Agróptimum, we become your partner in the pistachio farming business. You only need to supervise and reap the benefits of the plantation, because the entire process, from planting to harvesting, we take care of it.
Main courses sources
Cambridge University, Healthline, NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), WebMD, FEN (Spanish Nutrition Foundation), American Pistachio Growers.
Javier Gallego Largo
R&D Director of Agróptimum.
