thenutritionwatchdog.com What's in your food? Discover which "healthy" foods are harming your health and which foods protect your body 
By: Cat Ebeling, co-author of the best-sellers: The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix
I remember back when I was a kid, pistachios were bright red! Back then, pistachios mostly came from the Middle East, and the harvesting methods left them with stains, so they were dyed (ugh!) a bright reddish pink to cover up the stains. Fortunately, most pistachios today come from California, where they come to us for snacking in their natural (and more appetizing) tan color.
Pistachios have become elevated to almost everyone’s favorite snack. Did you know that pistachios are one of the most nutritious nuts you can eat? Just a small 1 ounce serving contains over 30 vitamins, minerals and other powerful nutrients to help you burn fat, improve your cholesterol and heart health, balance out your blood sugar, and even improve your sex life!
Pistachios contain some of the highest protein and healthy fats of any nuts, so they are one of the best ways to snack, get tons of nutrients, keep your blood sugar low, and burn fat as well.
Pistachios rank high among nuts as having the highest amounts of antioxidant activity (ORAC ranking) of any food. Antioxidants help to prevent free radical damage, which allows for healthy cell reproduction, slows aging, and prevents chronic disease, among other things.
Pistachios have a unique nutrient and fatty acid profile. They are a good source of unsaturated fatty acids and numerous antioxidants, including γ-tocopherol, β-carotene, lutein, selenium, flavonoids, and phytoestrogens.
Compared with other popular nuts, pistachios are one of the richest sources of potassium, vitamin B-6, beta-carotene, and lutein + zeaxanthin. And they contain a healthy amount of protein, fiber, and selenium (good for thyroid health) as well.
These little green nibbles are crunchy, salty, delicious, satisfying, low-carb and good for you! In spite of the fact that these yummy nuts have loads of (healthy) fat in them, they are one of the best fat-burning snacks you can find.
Here are FIVE good reasons to snack on pistachios—
1. A great source of vitamin B6—B vitamins are ‘water soluble’ vitamins. That means that B vitamins are easily washed out of your body, and you cannot store B vitamins.
B6 is vital for helping to produce certain neurotransmitters that protect the brain and nervous system. What’s more, B6 helps banish depression and anxiety, increase your ability to break down and process fat cells, up your energy levels, improve premenstrual syndrome, and help attention-deficit issues like ADD and ADHD.
B6 is also one of the most important vitamins to lower homocysteine levels in the body. Homocysteine is an inflammatory substance the body produces that is a leading indicator of heart disease. High homocysteine = an increased risk for heart attacks, strokes and blood clots.
2. Improves Heart Health and Cholesterol Levels—While many of the other nut varieties have been well-studied for their health benefits, pistachios have been studied for heart health and cholesterol-lowering benefits.
This study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows a definite and significant reduction in the harmful LDL cholesterol with as little as one serving a day, although the reduction in cholesterol actually appears to be ‘dose-dependent’. In other words, 2 servings of pistachios will bring down cholesterol and other cardiac risk factors slightly more than 1 serving (serving = 10% of total daily calories). LDL cholesterol was lowered by an impressive 9-12%.
High LDL is a major risk factor for heart disease and is thought to result partly from increased triglycerides (which usually come from a high carbohydrate-high sugar diet. In addition, pistachios contain high levels of antioxidants, which also protect heart health and blood vessels.
3. Diabetes Fighter—Eating pistachios has a beneficial effect on blood sugar, helping to keep blood sugar levels low, insulin levels low, and helping to prevent diabetes.
New research from Spain shows that people with prediabetes actually have a lower risk of developing diabetes if they eat pistachios on a regular basis. The test subjects ate 2 ounces of pistachios daily and had significant drops in both blood sugar and insulin levels. Some subjects also found they had reduced inflammatory levels as well, due to the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory levels in pistachios. As an added benefit, subjects also found that their waist measurement decrease as well.
Besides the fact that pistachios are very low in sugar, they also contain many bioactive compounds that affect the heart, blood sugar levels and other measures of health.
Pistachios are also high in protein, fiber and healthy fats, so they help control your ‘munchies’ and satisfy you. Not only do pistachios curb your appetite, but they give you some seriously healthy nutrients as well.
4. Better Sex—A study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research looked at the effects of eating pistachios in 17 men who had erectile dysfunction (ED).
The men ate about 3.5 ounces (about a cup) of pistachios a day for three weeks. The men were tested before and after the study using the International Index of Erectile Function score. After 3 weeks, the men’s IIEF scores increased significantly, and the subjects also reported they had increased sexual desire, pleasure and satisfaction. So want to add a little ‘spice’ to your life? Eat more pistachios!
5. Fat Burning—Nuts contain lots of healthy fats, but they also help you burn fat! Pistachios are one of the nuts that contain the highest amount of protein, which helps to make you feel satiated and full.
In addition, they contain generous amounts of healthy monounsaturated fats, similar to the healthy fat in olive oil. This fat not only helps you feel satisfied, but it keeps blood sugar low—a key factor in appetite and the ‘munchies’. When blood sugar stays low, you keep your body in the fat-burning mode, burning fat for energy instead of storing fat—which is what happens when you eat carbohydrates or sugary foods.
What’s more, when you eat shelled pistachios, it takes a bit of work to crack those tasty little babies open, so you tend to eat less.
Pistachios also contain generous amounts of the antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect the eye from diseases related to aging, including macular degeneration.
And, pistachios are great for your gut health too. We all talk about “probiotics” but there are “prebiotics” as well. These are healthy, fiberous foods that feed your healthy gut bacteria, and pistachios just happen to be one of those foods that feed your healthy gut bacteria and keep those critters happy!
A study from University of Florida study showed that people who ate 3 oz of pistachios for 19 days, had improved levels of beneficial gut bacteria, and an increase in beneficial butyrates, which are substances formed from healthy gut bacteria that help heal the gut lining.Got the munchies? Pick up a bag of yummy, crunchy pistachios. Your body and your gut critters will thank you! Enjoy your pistachios and stay lean!
References
If you haven’t tried Alamogordo, NM pistachios, you don’t know your pistachios. They put California pistachios to shame! They are to die for!
I agree
Where do you order these type of pistachios?
The Pistachio Tree Ranch, McGinn’s Country Store, Alamogordo, NM
http://www.PistachioLand.com
With the high level of potassium should someone with kidney disease eat these nuts
Where can I purchase said Pistachios.
I always been over weight and so tired of falling diet after diet!
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Good writing and straight to the point not like the ones where they will be going round and telling you so many stories.
Thank you
Yup. I drop by the worlds largest pistachio when it’s open.
where in New Zealand can you buy pistachio’s????
Where can i get NH pistachios……..i live in NH
If you can’t get them at any of the stores in your area they online
Costco has two specific types that we just love. One is the Salt & Pepper Pistachios, and the other are the regular roasted and salted. And there are lots of Costco locations, and online too.
Thank you so much for your reply about this I know now what to eat that will help me with all the problems I have been having its actually very simple. You are a life saver.
Where can I get them please as I currently eat California pistachios. Many thanks. Donna
Does it matter how many you eat?
Which ones are the best to eat?
Where can I get them?
Where to buy them?
I live in Texas where is a good place to buy pistachios
I appreciate your article. What I am not clear about is if the pistachios are roasted or raw. Roasted anything, especially a nut, will destroy the health building characteristics, as the roasting denatures the fats and destroys any enzymes required for digestion. I would appreciate addressing this in an addendum to this article or a follow-up article.
Keep up the good work.
What about dry roasting?
ĺare they normal pistacious or rpasted or dry etc thnku
Hello M. Huntoon,
Could you please justify with any piece of evidence that roasted nuts are not healthy?
I thought that by soaking and roasting them we could digest them better.
Concerning the pistachios, salty pistachios could not be a problem?
Thank you
I wonder from where can we buy pistachio nut that you maintain?
I agree with Richard about this. And I would add one thing. We understand that the roasting process deprives foods of any kind of their nutritional potency. But on top of the roasting of many nuts and seeds we have the addition of salt in large quantities. Adding salt to the American diet is not going to help people lose weight because sodium, the base chemical unit for salt, contributes to water retention. Most people, when they think of the delicious pistachio, think also of the salt that flavors them. I’m not sure most people would be as attracted to pistachios were it not for the salt which is so damaging to our health, not just from a weight-loss perspective from also from the standpoint of our microbiome, the microbial flora of our gut which contributes vastly to our true health and disease resistance.
I eat my pistachios raw unsalted. Once you get used to the taste, you will love them
agreed!
… also concerned with the ‘salt’ issue, but hard to find saltless. THNX!
I try to check with the manufacturer of the nuts to find out what temperature the nuts (not just pistachios) are roasted. The lower the better. Here is a link to an article in Healthline that might answer some of the other questions here. I think Mike just wanted to raise awareness without getting too longwinded on the details. 🙂
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/raw-vs-roasted-nuts#section6
Please, are pistachios are better for than mackadamia nuts peanuts almonds etc from Australia?Some of our soils have ample boron potassium etc
Hi the idea of eating pastschios for health sounds good. I’m a diabetic and heart surgery. I will try this, thank you.
Thanks for info. On Pistachios! Can’t wait to have some.
It so much better to protect your immune system that should be the most important in your life by eating the right Nutrition and more
a good site to learn about pistachios
? Agreed! I love them anyway!
So can we eat pistachios roasted to receive the same benefits you quoted?
Guess the nuts could be rinsed in cold water to dissolve the majority of salt away and then left on a sheet pan to dry.
Better for health: raw or roasted?
But I heard that pistachios has high purine level that could cause high uric acid that leads to Gouts and Arthritis? Please give medical advice on this. Thanks
Too much salt is not good so buy the Pistachios Blue Menu large package for $12.00.
Yes, exactly. Heart patients should eat low-salt foods all the way around. Thank you for the suggestion of the Blue Menu brand.
Good for you but they cost quite a bit more than other nuts. Where can you buy them cheaper???
Are they always or almost always pasteurized like almonds and if so what does this do to their nutrient values?
I like your column..
but when you suggest pistachios..best to add…Wonderful brand is on the Roundup list of CA
products…check it out.
I love pistachios. Buy them in big 24 ounce bags. Didn’t know that they are so good for you. Love them. Thanks for the informative article. Will bye more pistachios.
I read your article months ago about pistachios and I constantly eat them now thanks for introducing them to me I had never eaten one before
Remember to many tree nuts can can contribute to kidney stones.
Moderation in all things..is the key to success.
But NONE Of Them Even Come Close To Raw Cacao… With An ORAC Rating Of 95,500.
Although pistachios are low on carbs; in reference to the Keto diet 3/4 cup of pistachios is 15 grams of carbs. On Keto you’re only allowed 20 grams of carbs per day. I absolutely love pistachios!!! But I’m trying to incorporate a Keto lifestyle at the moment.
Pistachios have a very high net carb value (17g per 100g). 3oz. (or approx, 100g) of pistachios would be impossible in a Keto diet. Most nuts have 4-7g per 100g, except for cashews that are about 30g of net carbs per 100g. Cashews and pistachios cannot be recommended for diabetics except in small amounts like 1oz per day.
very high in carbohydrates, i would choose Pecans
which have the lowest
Here in Baton Rouge, LA, raw, shelled 1-pound bags of Bergerons (one of largest if not the largest pecan sheller in US at New Roads, LA) for $6.99 (this years crop) at certain stores, and that includes the small native variety. We keep plenty in the freezer and they freeze well since they will get rancid and attacked by bugs if you don’t. We use them throughout the year.
Frank, I’m swinging by Bergerons Pecans my next trip to Luling. I want my grandkids to see that part of Louisiana. We’ll load up on pecans. Gwen Genius,
Fort Worth Tx.
I love pistachios and i bring them to our mens group meeting weekly. I will spread the word about the value.
Where can i purchase that brand?
I am allergic to pistachios. Is there a second place product that Works almost as well?
I have a ‘thing’ about throwing out the shells – –want to find a use for them – mulch? Compost? anything? thanks.
Your idea about possibly using the pistachios sells as compost is excellent. I have not specifically researched their use as compost but it makes good sense. added to the soil the shells will definitely aerate the soil which is always desired and in time the shells will decay, adding additional compost.
If you compost them it might be best to soak the shells to remove the salt which will impede the development of the exact same microbial action that compost depends on to break down the components into soil.
MARLENE.. i SPRAYED THEM GOLD & PUT ON TOP OF PLANTS… LOOKS PRETTY. THE DIRT LOOKS BETTER.. (IN THE HOUSE OR GARDEN COURT.\
To get all benefits mentioned, must the pistachio nuts be in the raw form? (Not roasted?)
I just looked at the study they cited and the pistachios were roasted and salted.
Is it better to use raw pistachios, or roasted and salted ?
This is for belly fat
I’m in my 70’s, so I remember when pistachios were red, and your fingertips would turn red from eating them. In retrospect, I’m wondering how harmful that red dye was. Now we have to make sure they haven’t been poisoned with Roundup – of which Glyphosate is only one of the toxic compounds. I still enjoy them as a regular part of my diet, but as my RN son says: “Everything in moderation.”
Hey Pete, I remember the same. Back then most of the nuts came from Iran. Their harvesting method caused major bruising, so they used a red dye that indeed stained ones fingers but you didn’t really see the bruising. Now we have many groves in the US and especially Arizona. Their harvesting medthods include nets aroung the trunk of the tree and they shake the trunk with a tractor equiped to not cause tree injury. No need to dye the nuts and they do indeed look great.
I am very concerned about roundup and other poisons on pistachios . What can I do to safeguard against such ?
No mention if amounts given are before or after pistachios are shelled?
I am in Canada and will look for them in Costco. Does anyone here know where they are bringing them in from and whether they are roasted?
I didn’t see where they mentioned the importance of the nuts being organic or if they thought raw or roasted
pistachios would provide all the benefits they were claiming.
Sorry, forgot to ask…Pistachios Raw or roasted and salted ?
Must they be crushed and added to 8 oz water ?
Illustration looks like the nuts have been crushed into a powder…….. ??
What quantity with the 8 oz Water ?
Must this be taken on waking, before coffee etc ?
Should one avoid the salt which is added whilst still in the shell ?
Are they taken only Once a day ?
I Love them, so no problem to be eaten all day !
Should one avoid any other foods, like Cashew Nuts, whilst on the Pistachio programme ?
Thank you so much for helping general health as well.!
Your article is interesting. My body must be working in reverse. I have a very high level of B6 and no one can figure out why. All I hear si that I need to stop eating food that has a high level of B6. Ha!
Everybody is saying how good these Pistachios (raw-roasted, etc.) but no ones said what brand, where to get them. Need to know what brands are best for consumption. Also where to get them.
I always buy organic unsalted pistachios, almonds and walnuts. I had to reduce my intake of pistachios. For some reason, I started to have some abdominal cramping and bloating. I wasn’t sure it was the pistachios so I did an elimination test. I haven’t had any pistachios for about a week now. I noticed I don’t have the abdominal cramping anymore and not as much bloating. Someone told me to be careful with nuts and seeds because they often contain micro toxins from mold, which she said is because the nuts and seeds are stored in silos for a time. I don’t know how accurate that is but it seems to make some sense since I’m highly sensitive to mold along with a few other allergies in milder form. As for almonds, for me, they are difficult to digest with the skins on so I soak them in hot water for a few minutes and they come off fairly easy. Makes a big difference. Another thing I have learned is to chew nuts thoroughly because that too can prevent an upset tummy. Otherwise, nuts are nutritious and I’ll continue to enjoy them.
You can buy large bags of skinless almonds in the salad toppings area. Big Y sells them in the larger bags.
Those are good methods to alleviate the intestinal problems. When you purchase the organic nuts watch for a packaging date, and that they stay refrigerated while in the store. When you get them home, also refrigerate them until used. This will cut down on mold problems showing up.
How many pistacchios is the right amount?
They sound delicious, I would like to order some. Let me know where.
Betty
Just if the pistachios don’t work? You may also try, “Deez-nuts”!
where do you get unsalted pistachios, I love them with a passion .
I’d like to know that as well, please!
Very informative information which I didn’t know before
where do you ship from and the price please
I have kidney failure and I can’t have too much potassium in my diet so is it ok for me to eat pastacheo which is good for so much more. Or is it too bad for me to eat pastacheo? I really need to know bc I need all of the benefits that come with them. Especially for low libedo. I am marryering a younger man and I need the all of the libedo I can have!!!!! Please respond as soon as possible. Thank you Brenda Lane
do not eat them if you have kidney problems – too much potassium
Loved them as a teenager and was always skinny. Now I can not eat them unless they are ground up. Now I am fat.
Is this nut good for squirrels ?
Where can i buy Pistachio in California
any supermarket should have them
Is it 3ounces without the shell per day? Or with the shell on? And are they to be eaten raw with no salt?
I am in Australia and started eating pitachosci February of this year after reading in this column to eat 3oz per day for weight loss. We have metric weights in this country so was not sure of the equivelant in grams , (85gms).I started eating 40 pitachos per day. At February 1st my weight was 103.50kg. My weight is now down to 97.5kg. A loss of 6kg in 5 months, (1kg is equal to 2.2 lbs.)
I have fatty liver, cirossis of the liver, (Non alcoholic,) Low kidney function at 53% prediabetic and sleep apnea. The only common remedy for all of these problems is to loose 30 or more kilos, so my journey has started thanks to pitachos. The nuts suppress appetite so aim for meals half the size you had before? In this country the nuts are readily available in Woolworths stores. I buy the unsalted versions pre shelled and cost about $au16 for 400 GM pkt. Not cheap, but figure you save more than this by eating a whole lot less food! The unsalted version is used because salt does not help he kidney liver issues. My age is 70.If my weight plateaus then I will increase to 60nuts per day. The version I am using are small in size.
That is awesome Bob! How are you doing now, 9 months later?
Thanks for your super researched and clearly written articles!
How is one to know the nuts are from your state?
Middle Eastern pistachios taste wayyyyy better than the California ones. No comparison. Maybe try it again nowadays. I’ve never seen them dyed pink in all years. Are you sure this is accurate?
They were dyed red many years ago – I remember their funny ‘holiday’ color when I was very young.
I purchase “sprouted” raw and organic premium whole pistachios from Blue Mountain Organics (www.bluemountainorganics.com). Crunchy, sweet but they are already shelled so be careful, 1 ounce is suggested but they are sooooooooooooo delicious, weigh out first because they are that good to over due it on these! I get ALL my nuts from them but they are not the cheapest but they are the best I’ve ever tried. I eat all my nuts sprouted now, health and taste are main factors for me.
In response to rjr above: When the nuts are soaked to initiate germination “sprouting” and dried at low temps of below 110 degrees or lower, a one ounce serving has 8 carbs but 3 grams of fiber so net carbs is only 5. Plus you are getting an exceptionally healthy snack with 6 grams of protein and the raw state of the enzymes and nutrients are preserved.
Bring back the Red ones from Iran. The California pistachios are a poor alternative. JMO
Thank you for the information
So what nuts need to be sprouted and why? Can you make patichio butter? Are they better for you raw or roasted?
Hi I hate these nuts can’t stand eating them they not the only but I hate I can eat a very small amount of peanuts but no other nuts I feel horrible when I eat them & I feel like I’m going 2 be sick so what can I do when I can’t eat those nuts?
Peanuts are not a nut but are a legume, like beans.
In SA were do you find pistachios?
I’m a pistachio eating crazed fool!
I have several 32oz sealed jars, but I have bag’s I leave for me to enjoy now.
I knew they were good for you, but I didn’t realize how much.
I always though Almond’s were the healthiest not. I’m not crazy about Almonds, but my Macaw loves them.
He’ll have some of my pistachios too.
Thanks for the article!
This article is very educational. Thanks a lot.
This is the BEST….I love pistachios and need allmost all the interventions….
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One thing to consider, especially for men is the fact pistachios are one of the leading sources of estrogen. Moderation would be critical for men. The last thing men need is more estrogen. Walnuts, peanuts are high in estrogen too. The term homeostasis is where the body counters high hormone levels to reach equilibrium. For example, if a man produces a lot of testosterone his body compensates with more estrogen production. I do not think however that adding more estrogen causes men, especially men over 40 to see an increase intestosterone production via homeostatic processes so be mindful of the amount of estrogenic food intake, your health is dependent on proper hormone balance. Any Dr’s out there want to add to this?
Great Site, everyone should subscribe. Thanks for the information!
I got some almonds yogurt the other day and had a severe reaction. Will this apply just to almonds or all nuts?