Cibi e Bevande
PISTACHIOS ARE A POWERHOUSE OF NUTRIENTS
Researchers from Cornell University wanted to better understand the potential mechanism behind the health benefits that have been linked to pistachios in recent studies. They analyzed pistachios to determine:
The researchers used the two different methods to measure the antioxidant potential of pistachios – Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) and Cellular Antioxidant Activity (CAA) – and found that pistachios have very high level of antioxidant activity. While these tests don't prove a specific health outcome, they suggest a high level of antioxidant compounds within pistachios. Pistachios are high in copper and manganese and are a source of selenium, zinc, riboflavin and Vitamin E. All these nutrients contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
"We were excited to see that the antioxidant capacity of pistachios measured so high in our study," said Dr. Rui Hai Liu , Professor of Food Science at Cornell University . "When compared to values reported in research for other common, high-antioxidant foods using the same methods, we see the antioxidant activity of pistachios is higher than that of foods often thought of as antioxidant powerhouses including blueberries, cherries, and beets. We believe the high antioxidant activity of pistachios may to be due to the unique compounds in pistachios including vitamin E, carotenoids, phenolics and flavonoids. The combination or interaction of these beneficial antioxidants, bioactive compounds, along with other nutrients in pistachios, is likely what contributes to the many health benefits we have seen in pistachio studies from recent years ."
Normal metabolisms of daily life – everything from eating, breathing, and exercising to the toxins we encounter in the environment – can generate free radicals in the body. Oxidative stress is the imbalance of free radicals (oxidants). Free radicals attack healthy body cells and this damage is thought to contribute to inflammation and aging in addition to chronic health conditions, including heart disease and cancer. Health professionals recommend food sources with antioxidants to help protect healthy cells from free radical damage in the body.
Most people know that antioxidants are beneficial to health, but many don't know exactly how antioxidants work within the body. To see an informational video on antioxidants to help explain the benefit of antioxidants to journalists, go to https://AmericanPistachios.org/.
A summary of additional findings from the study include:
"The health benefits of pistachios have been studied over the past 20 years and we are excited to dig further into the specific makeup of pistachios that maybe contributing to overall health," notes Amber Wilson , MS, RD, Director of Nutrition Research and Communication for American Pistachio Growers. "The results of this study confirm the high antioxidant potential of pistachios, which is great news for those looking to add more whole foods with antioxidant nutrients to their diet."
Pistachios used in the Cornell study were grown in California , which have a different nutritional profile than those grown in other countries.
Pistachios grown in the U.S. are also a plant-based source of complete protein and can be part of a balanced and varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Pistachios are high in fibre, unsaturated fats, chromium, potassium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, vitamin B1 & B6. Pistachios also provide a source of protein, magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc, vitamin B2, E, K & folate, as well as containing oleic, linoleic acid and plant sterols.
For more information about research on the health benefits of pistachios, visit https://americanpistachios.org/nutrition-and-health.
American Pistachio Growers is a non-profit trade association representing more than 865 growers, member processors and industry stakeholders in
California , Arizona and
New Mexico .
Why is there such global interest in American-grown pistachios in recent years? Baby Boomers recall the bubble-gum machines that dispensed red-dyed pistachios imported from Iran when they were youngsters. At the time, no pistachios were produced domestically.
Pistachios are one of the newest commercial crops in the United States , first established in California in the 1970s from the seed of Iranian pistachios, which grew in a bush form. Through crop improvement, research conducted by USDA and California universities, a robust pistachio tree was developed, and it thrived in the arid climates in California , Arizona , and New Mexico . The American pistachio is therefore physiologically different, producing a nutmeat with a nutrient profile that differs from the original nuts from Iran and other origins, such as the Bronte region of Italy . Results from this study are limited to American pistachios.
Soon, interest piqued in nutrition research of the improved pistachio. Over the subsequent years, research has been conducted by respected universities and institutions in Europe , China , Canada , and the United States , resulting in published studies that revealed many health benefits that make American-grown pistachios unique among other foods. Notably, in March 2020 , it was announced that American-grown pistachios are among the few plant-based proteins that are also a complete protein—meaning they contain the nine essential amino acids that are necessary for human growth that is mostly found in animal proteins.
A compendium of the global research can be found at AmericanPistachios.org.
Total antioxidant measured by cellular antioxidant activity: pomegranates 250 +/- 10 µmol QE/100; roasted pistachios 216.76 +/- 6.6 µmol QE/100; 171 +/- 12 µmol QE/100; cranberries 52.1 +/- 1.3 µmol QE/100; beets 41.9 +/- 6.2 µmol QE/100.
Amber Wilson
Director, Nutrition Research and Communication
awilson@americanpistachios.org
(001) 310-384-4251
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