Pistachio

Wonderfully delicious pistachio nuts have been revered as the symbol of wellness and robust health since ancient times. The nuts are enriched with many health-benefiting nutrients that are essential for optimum health. Pistachio nuts are dry fruits of species of trees belonging in the anacardiaceae family, in the genus - pistacia.

The plant is a medium sized broad, bushy, dioecious, deciduous tree, believed to be originating in the mountain ranges of west-asian region. Several cultivars exist; however, the most popular variety grown for the commercial purpose is the kerman.

Pistachios grow well under hot, dry climates with cool winters. They are currently being cultivated in large scale in the orchards in the usa, iran, syria, turkey, and china. After plantation, it takes approximately eight to ten years until it produces its first major crop. Once established, it keeps bearing fruits for centuries.

The fruit, in fact, is a drupe (fruit with a large, central located single seed), and its seed kernel is actually the edible portion. Each season, the tree bears heavy clusters of fruits, which appear somewhat like that of a grape bunch. On the exterior, the mature fruit features hard, off-white color shell which splits apart exposing yellow-light green, oblong shape kernel inside. Pistachio kernel measures about 1 inch in length and 1/2 inch in diameter and weighs about 0.7-1 gm.

Pistachios are delicious tree nuts recognized for their wholesome nutrition properties. Together with walnuts, almonds, and cashew, they form important source of protein, fats, and minerals to otherwise dry and arid regions of central, west and south asian population.

Pistachios are rich source of energy; 100 g of nuts provides 557 calories. In addition, they are rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid and an excellent source of antioxidants. Regular consumption of pistachios in the diet helps to lower total as well as bad ldl cholesterol and increases good hdl cholesterol levels within the blood. Research studies suggest that mediterranean diet that is rich in dietary-fiber, mono-unsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants help to prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.

They are rich source of many phyto-chemical substances that may contribute to their overall antioxidant activity, including carotenes, vitamin e, and polyphenolic antioxidant compounds. Research studies have been suggestive of that these compounds helparemove toxic oxygen-free radicals from the body, and thus, protect it from diseases, cancers, as well as infections.

Pistachios are an excellent sources of vitamin-e, especially rich in gamma-tocopherol; contain about 23 g per100 g. Vitamin e is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, essential for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin; offer protection from harmful oxygen-free radicals.

The nuts are packed with many important b-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin b-6, and folates.