If you care about improving your vision and you are also a lover of nuts one particular type of nuts called pistachios are good nutritional choices for improving eye health. This is due to the fact that pistachios are one of the only types of nuts with the highest concentrations of the vision supporting nutrients Lutein and Zeaxanthin. As a matter of fact, research studies have shown that a great way to boost your levels of Lutein and Zeaxanthin is to add these nuts to your diet. Pistachios are not only tasty but they are healthy as well. This is due to the fact that they are abundant in Vitamin E, essential proteins and healthy fats such as Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats that are useful in boosting carotenoid nutrients. Some of the general health benefits of these nuts include better heart and prostate health and a reduced risk for certain types of cancers due to its vitamin E content. Therefore, here are the general and eye health benefits of pistachios:
Eye Heath Benefits: These nuts benefit the eyes due to the fact that they are rich in carotenoids; a nutrient that supports eye health. Carotenoids are pigments found in plants that provide antioxidant protection against diseases. Due to the fact that Pistachios have a high concentration of antioxidants they are useful in reducing the risks for age related eye diseases such as cataracts. Another one of the vision benefits of Pistachios is the fact that it contains the antioxidant called Zeaxanthin which is beneficial in protecting the eyes from sun damage due to the U.V rays of the sun. Vitamin E is also one of the major antioxidants useful in combating age related eye diseases such as cataract and macular degeneration especially when combined with vitamins A, C, Zinc and Copper.
Improves Prostate Health: Research shows that eating vision foods rich in carotenoids such as cruciferous vegetables like Broccoli, cabbage, Cauliflower and Kale, and foods that are rich in vitamin E such as almonds, Brazil nuts and pistachios reduces the risks for prostate cancer and benefits prostate health. The potent antioxidant content in pistachios neutralizes the damaging effects of unhealthy free radicals that cause the development of cancerous cells.
Better Heart Health: Eye foods like Pistachios consists of plant sterols, fiber, potassium, vitamin E and healthy fats. These nutrients collectively work to improve heart health. These nuts also consist of the amino acid which also boosts testosterone in the body called L-arginine. This nutrient improves the vascular system of the heart. This is due to the fact that L-arginine boosts the body’s production of Nitric Oxide a nutrient that supports healthy circulation to the heart by relaxing the blood vessels and improving the flow of oxygen to the cardiovascular system.