4 Surprising Health Benefits of Pistachios

Pistachios are fun to eat, and they’re also incredibly good for you! Discover the delicious health benefits of pistachios.

I feel like when it comes to healthy nuts, almonds and walnuts get all of the love, but there are so many other delicious options out there that are packed with health benefits. Pistachios are a perfect way to get the health benefits of eating nuts, and they have some specific benefits of their own.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PISTACHIOS

1. Preventing Erectile Disfunction

Pistachios are great sources of antioxidants and the amino acid arginine, both of which may be why a recent study found that men eating a few handfuls of pistachios a day for just a few weeks saw improvement.

The men in the study also saw a drop in their cholesterol numbers, which could also help explain the improvement.  “We also know that cholesterol is an important predictor of sexual dysfunction in both men and women,” Dr. Michael Greger explains  about the study.

2. Supporting Healthy Weight Loss

You might not think of nuts as a weight loss-friendly food, but like other nuts, pistachios can be part of a healthy diet.

A 2010 study found that replacing high carb snacks, like pretzels, with a handful of pistachios actually helped participants lose weight.

One thing that sets pistachios apart from other nuts, is that they’re often sold in the shell. In a related study, the same researchers found that study participants who kept the shells at their desk ate 22 percent fewer calories. The reminder that they just snacked helped prevent mindless snacking.

Because pistachios usually come in the shell, they also naturally slow you down. I know how easy it is for me to demolish a mountain of cashews, but when faced with shelling the same amount of pistachios, your body has a chance to tell you it’s full before you overdo it.

3. Lowering Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

Another small study looked at how pistachios helped improve these important markers for health. The study looked at participants with metabolic syndrome. The group who ate a diet with 20 percent of calories from pistachios showed drops in their cholesterol and better blood sugar numbers.

They had also lost belly fat, another risk factor for disease.

4. Lightening Under-Eye Circles

Eating pistachios is only one way to get their health benefits. This home remedy uses ground pistachios topically to help get rid of dark circles under your eyes. Instead of milk, use soy milk or soy yogurt to make your paste, for a cruelty-free version of this simple beauty recipe.