The Mighty Pistachio

The Romans did us all a favour when they brought pistachios all the way from Syria to the Mediterranean. Thanks to them, we can enjoy the rich goodness of pistachio gelato, the delicate crunch of pistachio macarons, or the sweet, sticky satisfaction of pistachio halva.

But pistachios aren’t just about indulgent treats. They’re actually a nutritional goldmine. We often reach for supplements off the shelf, forgetting that nature offers us a pharmacy in itself.

Our great great great great great great great great grandparents loved them!

We’ve been nibbling on pistachios for over 7,000 years, and our gut absolutely loves them. They’re an excellent source of vitamin B6, which is vital for brain health and mood regulation, as well as potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Packed with healthy fats—monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats—they help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol while improving HDL ("good") cholesterol.

Pistachios certainly deserve the spotlight

These little nuts are also high in fibre (why eat cardboard Weetabix, when instead you can have a handful of this delicious nut?!) which means they help keep things moving in the digestive tract, warding off constipation. Because they release energy slowly, they’re the perfect snack before a workout. And with their high protein content, they’re great for muscle recovery afterward.

Not only that, but if your 2025 resolution is related to weight loss goals, here’s some good news: studies show that overweight people who ate a serving of pistachios daily had a lower body mass index (BMI) and smaller waist circumference than those who didn’t.

Pistachios and a goodnight sleep!

Pistachios offer another bonus, especially for this introspective season: they’re a natural source of melatonin, the hormone that encourages a goodnight sleep. When eaten in the afternoon or evening, they can help improve sleep quality by boosting melatonin levels naturally, encouraging your body to relax (I'm busy chewing pistachios as I try to meet the deadline for this blog post).

Incidentally, if you want to know more about foods that help you sleep better, consider joining us for the upcoming Sleep well, Live Better Group Coaching Programme.