How Pistachio Nuts Contribute to Heart Health

 

Pistachios were once a precious delicacy among Royals. In modern times, pistachios are valued for their taste and the nutritional benefits they offer. Nuts are filled with protein and other amazing nutrients. Scientists have also discovered that they lower your chance of type 2 diabetes and risk of heart attack; if you eat them frequently. Learn how to incorporate more raw nuts into your family's diet.

Disease of the heart is one of the main killers of the Americans. What should you do to keep your heart healthy? I want to outline in this article some of the basic things you need to know, especially in dietary areas and in particular the Mediterranean Diet.

Do not be under the impression that you are taking care of your heart too early.

Considering a preventative approach against heart disease is necessary. Right diet, exercise and not taking part in unhealthy habits can help a person take control of his/her heart. There are some risk factors which no one can control but if one wants to keep their heart healthy then a certain amount of control in ones' living habit is essential.

If you want to live a long life with a healthy heart then you will also have to go in for Pistachio nuts.

Numerous researches have been conducted and their findings all point to the fact that nuts are an indispensable part of food for those who are in the pursuit of a healthy heart.

Till recently, nuts have been boycotted due to the rich fat content in them. However this fat-particularly the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, is proved to be related with heart wellness. These monounsaturated fats have the power to cut down low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is otherwise cholesterol. You can control your cholesterol in take by controlling ingestion.

Controlled intake of Pistachio Nuts helps in prevention of the risk of heart disease:

Doctors are of the view that consuming nuts around two times in a week may cut down the danger of heart disease considerably. The sketch that was delivered at the World Congress of Cardiology put forward that as little as two helpings of eight grams of nuts comes to around a small plate full and it may slim down the risk of heart disease to about 11%.

Professor Elio Riboli, professor of cancer medical specialists at Imperial College, London said, 'You could say that a modest consumption of nuts contributed to reducing myocardial infarction. He did however state that "but there is no point sitting in front of the TV, being obese and having high blood pressure and expecting nuts to protect you against a heart attack.'

Nutrition research has discovered an exhilarating link between pistachios and health. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans have declared that pistachios are a nutritious food which has to be added to one's diet. Nutrient packed foods include extensive amounts of vitamins and minerals; thus, pistachios make a complete snack food.

The various constituents of Pistachio nuts are:

Nutrition in Pistachios

Pistachios form the source of phosphorus, copper, magnesium, potassium, and B6. The nuts give 30 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Thus they are the best from the nutritional perspective.

Fiber in Pistachios

Pistachios comprises of lot of fiber. So you can boost your consumption of pistachios if you want to increase your intake of dietary fiber.

Pistachio Protein

If you want to substitute animal protein with veggie protein then your choice should be pistachios. When you consume pistachios in alignment with grains which are rich in protein, vegetables, and fruits, then you get extra protein from your diet. Pistachio nuts are an exceptional basis of vegetable protein.

Pistachios and Inhibitors

Oxidant tension can injure the human body, outcome of which would be diseases like cancer and heart disease. Dietary inhibitors help to cut down the damage. Phenolic compounds contained in Pistachios act as an antioxidant of certain foods. Thus pistachio nut gets a higher rank in the group for antioxidants.

Pistachios and Carotene

Pistachios have noteworthy amounts of carotene lutein and zeaxanthin. These Carotene decrease the development of macular degeneration, which might result in blindness.

Pistachios and Phytosterols

Pistachios also contain plant sterols. Current research indicates that phytosterols might bring down the assimilation of dietary cholesterin from other foods.

Also Read Benefits of Pistachios-ED, SPERM COUNT, PCOS- Ayurveda View

By Parmu Malika

The Fabulous Fig

 

"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves" (Gn 3:7).

The first tree recognized and identified in the Bible is the fig tree. Fig trees are mentioned more than 50 times in the Bible. These facts testify to the importance of the fig tree in biblical culture. The Common fig (Ficus carica) is a large, deciduous, shrub or small tree native to southwest Asia and the eastern Mediterranean region (Greece east to Afghanistan). The fruit is 3-5 cm long, with a green skin sometimes ripening towards purple. The sap of the tree's green parts is an irritant to human skin. Unlike most other fruits, figs ripen gradually and are picked from May to October. This late summer crop is dried and made into cakes or kept on strings. It has been an important food crop for thousands of years, and was also thought to be highly beneficial in the diet. Figs were also a common food source for the Romans. Cato the Elder, in his De Agri Cultura, lists several strains of figs grown at the time he wrote his handbook: the Mariscan, African, Herculanean, Saguntine, and the black Tellanian (De agri cultura, ch. 8). The fruits were used, among other things, to fatten geese for the production of a precursor of foie gras. Figs can be eaten fresh or dried, and used in jam-making. Most commercial production is in dried or otherwise processed forms, since the ripe fruit does not transport well, and once picked does not keep well.

I absolutely love the historical quality of the fig. Figs and fig trees were used as more than just for food. The fig tree is a symbol for the historical city of Jerusalem. Fig trees were used often as symbols for peace and prosperity. The biblical quote "each man under his own vine and fig tree" (1 Kings 4:25) has been used to denote peace and prosperity. Jesus often used the fig as an emblem of goodness. In Matthew 7:16 and Luke 13:6-9 Jesus uses the fig as a symbol of spiritual fruitfulness and a reminder of divine mercy. There is a chapter in the Quran named after the fig tree, and the fruit is also mentioned in Qur'an in many places. The Prophet Muhammad mentioned figs and then stated, "If I had to mention a fruit that descended from paradise I would say this is it because the paradisiacal fruits do not have pits...eat from these fruits for they prevent hemorrhoids, prevent piles and help gout." (Bukhari)

Not only is this fruit blessed with sacred spiritual characteristics, the fig is downright healthy. Figs are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber. According to USDA data for the Mission variety, dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K, relative to human needs. They have smaller amounts of many other nutrients. Figs have a laxative effect and contain many antioxidants. They are good source of flavonoids and polyphenols. In one study, a 40-gram portion of dried figs (two medium size figs) produced a significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity. Isaiah ordered that a lump of figs be applied to King Hezekiah's boil "that he may recover" (2 Kgs 20:7). Ancient Egyptians also used figs to heal stomach diseases and to ease back pain. Boiled in milk or barley-water, figs were thought to ease chest pain. The fig also is used in folk medicine for cancer, skin conditions, and for healing wounds. Dried figs contain a lot of sugar, about 60%. It is thought that that was the reason why Plato advised Greek athletes to eat many figs. The white juice that drips out of the fruit if the the stalk has been broken off is called latex. It was supposed to represent the universal energy and was used as a remedy against infertility and to incite the breast feeding process. Dried figs consist for about 60% of sugar, contain a lot of vitamins and it is said that humans could live on figs alone. It is a very healthy fruit and you can consume as much of them as you like.

Our ancestors had the right ideas. All their daily food needs were met by items in their backyard. No processed packages or chemical additives were ever needed to sustain their daily diet. It is imperative that we get back to nature and learn about all the items that have been placed on this planet for our sustenance. Seek out the fig and taste what it can do for your palate and diet.

By Allen Wheeler  

Also Read Health Benefits of Figs (Anjeer) An Ayurveda View

Dry Fruits & Dried Fruits - What's the Difference?

Hardly anybody knows that there is a vast difference between dry fruits and dried fruits. Generally when we say dry fruits we consider the dried one also but it is not so. There is a thin line of difference between the two.

Difference between dry fruits & dried fruits:

Dry fruits are basically natural and are of hard texture. Dry fruits are again divided into dehiscent - that whose seeds are contained in a seapod and indehiscent- those which are not in seedpod e.G cashewnuts, almonds, walnut, pista etc.

Dried fruits on the other hand are natural fleshy fruits which are dried either naturally or through machines such as food dehydrator e.G raisins, figs, cherries, apricots etc.

Benefits of Dry Fruits

both the dry fruits and dried fruits are essential for good health. They help in improving mental and physical development of human body. They contain high nutritional and nourishing qualities. It also helps in:

- creation of new blood cells
- strengthening the muscles
- enhancing freshness on face
- preventing anemia
- reproduction and the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates
- recommended in case of chronic constipation problems
- cases of debility and wasting diseases
- reducing young age problems of pimple, acne, dry skin and above all delays wrinkles

Examples of dry fruits and dried fruits:

Dry fruits:

cashew nuts: 

the botanical name for cashew is 'anacardium occidentale' and is also known as the the 'nature vitamin pill'. It contains relatively high fat content which counts to 12 grams per ounce and 2 grams saturated fat. This fat content is considered good in medical terms. Its fat ratio is available in 1:2:1 for saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated. Besides, it also has phytosterols, tocopherols, and sqaulene which are considered good for health and lowering the risk of heart diseases. Cashew nuts have zero percent cholesterol content. It contians 82.5 milligrams of magnessium and antioxidants high in cropper contents which helps in developing bone and connective tissue.

Almonds: 

the botanical name for almonds is prunus dulcis. Almonds are not truly nuts but drupe grown in deciduous trees. Almonds are of two kinds sweet and bitter. Almond which come out of white flowers are sweet and the ones out in pink flower are bitter. It is a rich source of vitamin e, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium. It contains 26% of carbohydrates, and 24 mg of vitamin e, rich in monounsaturated fat which is considered 'good' fat. It helps in improving memory and gives strength and improves eyesight.

Pista: 

the botanical name of pista is pistacia vera. It is known as pistachio and is said to be a great source of vitamins. Pista contains phytosterols which compete with the cholesterol in the intestinal lumen and helps in reducing the cholesterol levels and keeping heart healthy. It is said to be an excellent source of copper, manganese and vitamin b6, as well as a good source of a variety of other b vitamins. It contains fiber and hence beneficial for gastrointestinal health. It is wise to take unsalted pista than the salted one as salted tends to shoot the blood pressure level.

Dried fruits:

raisins: does any one know what actually raisins are? Well, raisins are the dried grapes. Eat as you want, raw or cooked, just garnish the way you like them. Raisins come from a french word 'rasin' which means 'grapes'. The sugar percentage in raisins ranges from 67% to 72%. It helps in cleaning the blood and helps in the free flow of the blood. Raisins also help to get rid of uncleaned blood. It also acts as an antioxidants making you healthier. The minerals present in raisins mixes with estrogen and thus make the bone stronger.

Figs: the botanical name for figs are ficus carica. Figs can be eaten both fresh and dry. These plants have the highest source of calcium and fiber. The dry figs are rich in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin k. It is really good for those suffering from constipation as it has a laxative effect and contain antioxidants.

Dates: 

date palm commonly known as the phoenix dactylifera. These are sweet edible fruits. It is one of the most beneficial food product both in terms of a medicine and tonic. It can be easily digested and hence it useful for supplying energy and repairing waste. The presence of nicotinic content helps in intestinal disturbances. It is also an excellent remedy for intoxicating alcoholism.

I hope this small description on dry fruits and dried fruits has given you the basic idea about the difference. Whatever be the difference whether it is dates, figs or cashew nuts, it is beneficial for health and thus is important.

Read - Best Dry Fruits to Increase Sperm Count Fertility

By Naresh R