Are there any benefits to eating pistachios? Characteristics of the pistachio tree

Good pistachio shells have a natural luster and the kernels are naturally green. Generally speaking, large pistachios taste better and are chewier than small ones. The cracks on good pistachios are the result of the kernels naturally expanding after they mature and become full, while some artificially opened pistachios have large shells and small kernels, which are inferior in quality. What are the benefits of eating pistachios? You must want to know.

Contents of this article

1. Characteristics of Pistachio Trees

2. Are there any benefits of eating pistachios?

3. How to distinguish good and bad pistachios

Characteristics of Pistachio Trees

Pistachio is a small deciduous tree with a height of 5-7 meters. It is dioecious, with flowers blooming before leaves. The flowers are dense and it takes more than 120 days from flowering to fruit ripening. There are two main varieties: one is a short fruit with round fruit that matures in mid-August, and the other is a long fruit with oblong fruit that matures from late August to mid-September. The mature pistachio fruit is milky white with a red blush when the tip cracks. The kernel is crispy and delicious, rich in nutrients, and contains high levels of fat, protein, sugar, cellulose, inorganic salts, and vitamins A and B. It is a highly nutritious specialty.

Are there any benefits of eating pistachios?

1. Pistachios help protect eyesight

The green part of the pistachio kernel actually contains lutein, which can help improve vision, protect the eyes from light damage, relieve visual fatigue and enhance the body's immunity.

2. Pistachios help protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems

The fat content in pistachios is relatively high. Most of the oil in pistachios is oleic acid, which is an unsaturated fat that can lower blood cholesterol and is beneficial to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health.

pistachio

3. Pistachios help with beauty and skin care

Pistachios contain vitamin E, which helps protect the skin, prevent aging, enhance skin elasticity, and beautify the skin.

4. Pistachios Help Prevent Atherosclerosis

Pistachios contain a lot of plant sterols. Animal cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis, but plant sterols will not. In addition, plant sterols will replace animal cholesterol and be absorbed by the intestines, which can effectively lower cholesterol and prevent atherosclerosis. In addition, pistachios are also rich in arginine. Arginine helps lower blood lipids, reduce the risk of heart attacks, lower cholesterol, and help prevent atherosclerosis.

How to distinguish good and bad pistachios

There are two kinds of pistachios on the market. One is bleached, with a white shell, dark yellow skin, and a kernel slightly darker than the skin. Such pistachios are harmful to the human body and it is best to eat less. The real unbleached pistachios have a slightly yellowish shell, a purple-red skin, and a light green kernel.

Many people may not know that the skin of real pistachios should be yellow-brown, and the common white pistachios are mostly processed and bleached. If they are bleached with chemical agents, they will have different degrees of side effects after consumption, and even cause cancer. White in color does not mean good quality. Pistachios with yellow skin, purple skin, green kernels, and large and full particles are the best. The common white pistachios are bleached, so it is best not to eat them.

1. Good quality pistachios should have yellow skin, purple skin, green kernels, and large and full kernels. The common white pistachios are bleached and harmful to the human body, so it is best not to eat them. Good pistachios have natural luster in the shell and natural green kernels. Generally speaking, large pistachios taste better and are chewier than small ones. The cracks of good pistachios are the result of the kernels naturally expanding after they are ripe and full, while some artificially opened pistachios have large shells and small kernels, which are inferior in quality.

2. The outer hard skin of pistachios is the peel, and the kernel is inside. The kernel emits fragrance after roasting, which is the part we eat. The more we chew, the stronger the fragrance becomes, and the aftertaste is endless. Because pistachios are shelled dried fruits, they are easy to get damp and deteriorate, so try to choose sealed packaging instead of buying bulk. Pay attention to choosing products with QS quality and safety marks on the packaging. It is better to buy some trustworthy big brands for safety and peace of mind.

3. Choose pistachios from well-known production areas, and you will also choose good pistachios that you can rely on.