Pistachios

The ongoing health emergency has raised consciousness about personal health, with a special focus on one's nutritional intake. If you are making smart diet plans that include healthy snacking options that one can munch while working, consider adding pistachios. A regular intake of unhealthy food can affect our body's ability to prevent, fight and recover from infections. Whereas, good nutrition can reduce the likelihood of developing other health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Pistachios are a delicious, complete source of protein for people of any and every age. American Pistachio Growers explain some key benefits of the green nut power-packed with nutrients. Nutrition power One 28g serving of pistachios equals 49 nuts, more than any other snack nut. Pistachios are a naturally cholesterol free snack that contain healthy fats and only 1.5g saturated fat. They also have the antioxidant, lutein, which filters harmful UV light and blue light from electronic device screens. Studies have shown that eating American pistachios can help lower blood pressure and help prevent heart diseases. Complete source of protein Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines a complete protein as a food that contains "all of the essential amino acids in adequate amounts." The protein quality of pistachios was assessed for the first time at the University of Illinois. The study determined that pistachios contain all nine essential amino acids necessary for supporting growth and maintaining health for those 5 years and older, therefore they are a "complete" protein. Fuels active lifestyles It is cholesterol-free, a good source of fiber, healthy fats and B-vitamins and contains antioxidants, lutein, and potassium, to help the body refuel and recover before and after a workout. Some people still worry that adding pistachios to their diet might result in weight gain, but researchers have discovered that eating as much as 20 per cent calories from pistachios may not lead to weight gain. For would-be mothers Many pregnant women may develop Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the third trimester. It causes high blood glucose levels that can affect both the mother and her child. According to a landmark study, women diagnosed with GDM and elevated blood glucose (GIGT) who ate pistachios had a significantly lower rise in their blood glucose levels when compared to eating whole wheat bread (calorie for calorie). An essential snack for children Pistachios can be included as a smart snacking option as a part of their children's diet plans, as it packs a powerful punch of essential nutrients. Not only are pistachio nuts tasty and fun to eat for children, but they are also super healthy and can help the children grow, develop, and learn. If you want to increase your protein intake, plan your diet with pistachios.

Pistachios might be your favourite nut, and a new analysis has shown them to be a source of "complete protein" for those who might want to move away from animal-based proteins. "US grown roasted pistachios meet the generally accepted definition as a "complete protein," meaning they join the ranks of a small number of plant proteins such as quinoa, chickpeas, and soybeans that have become popular among vegetarians," it was recently announced at the American Pistachio Growers Annual Conference in California. Pistachios qualify as a source of protein and the Food and Drug Administration defines a complete protein as a food that contains "all of the essential amino acids in adequate amounts". Adequate levels of all nine essential amino acids are shown to be present in roasted pistachios, based on a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score for pistachios. Roasted pistachios have a score of 81 per cent and 80 per cent of casein, the protein found in milk, meets the USDA definition as an alternate source of protein for school meals. "While we've always known nuts contain protein, we now know roasted pistachios with all nine amino acids in these amounts are a complete protein," said nutritionist Nigel Mitchell, who has authored 'The Plant Based Cyclist'. "This is great news, especially for active adults and athletes who would want a complete protein that's portable and doesn't require cooking. As such, roasted pistachios usefully contribute to the varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle that's so important for good health." In Europe, pistachios meet the threshold for a source of protein. Nearly all complete proteins come from meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Soy is a plant-based protein cited by the FDA as a complete protein. "Amino acids are the 20 building blocks of protein but nine 'essential' amino acids are not produced by the human body, so they must be obtained in food," explained Dr. Arianna Carughi, Science Advisor to American Pistachio Growers, the trade association for the US pistachio industry. "The vast majority of plant-based foods are 'incomplete' proteins, so they are deficient in one or more of the essential amino acids; however, combining two complete proteins at once or, within a day, creates a complete protein. Roasted pistachios can now be considered a complete protein source for those who are over five years old." (IANSlife)