Pistachios are good for heart health but beware of the side effects of overeating this nut

Pistachios have a buttery flavour, and are delicious to taste. Pistachios are one of the most nourishing components of the nut family and have amazing health benefits.

Used extensively in Indian sweets, ice cream, chocolates, and many other dishes, pistachios help lose weight, regulate gut health, control blood sugar levels, and maintain heart health.

These nuts are high in carbs, fibre, protein, fat, potassium, and vitamins. However, these delectable nuts can be extremely toxic and have side effects that you may not be aware of.

A few dangerous impacts of eating too many pistachios can lead to:

Compromises heart health

Nuts are supposed to be extremely beneficial for your heart. Not only do they improve artery health, but also reduce inflammation and the risk of blood clots. However, if you consume too many of them, especially pistachios, it can cause a spike in blood pressure levels.

You may then feel the side effects like blurry vision, dizziness, and fainting. Roasted and salted pistachios are even more dangerous as high levels of sodium elevates blood sodium level, increasing hypertension.

Causes digestive issues

Pistachios are extremely high in fibre. Therefore, consuming them in a limited amount is good for your digestion, but if you gorge on them, they can disturb digestion and cause diarrhoea, cramps, abdominal pain, intestinal pain, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Pistachios are loaded with fructan, an enzyme that can cause allergies in the gastrointestinal tract.

Can contribute to weight gain

While pistachio consumption in moderation helps you lose weight, overeating the nuts can have the opposite effect.

According to the American Heart Association, most of the fat in a person’s diet should be monounsaturated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems. Eating pistachios in moderation should not affect a person’s weight.

One way to moderate pistachio intake is to buy shelled versions. This can help slow down consumption, allowing the person to realize when they are full and reducing the risk of eating too much.

Can harm the kidneys

Experts recommend that people should limit their consumption of nuts that are high in potassium, like pistachios, to prevent kidney troubles.

Many studies support claims that most people with chronic kidney disease have high levels of sodium and hence should limit pistachios to just ¼ cup portion.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6014520/

Can cause allergies

Health experts say n allergy to pistachio can occur when there is an immune response from consuming or inhaling substances containing the proteins found in the nut. Since pistachios are tree nuts, these form one of the ten most common food allergens across the world.

Tree nuts allergy may cause vomiting, dizziness, nausea, difficulty in swallowing, itchiness, nasal congestion, and even stomach cramps.

Increase body heat

Pistachios are extremely high in calories. These nuts produce a high amount of heat after they are metabolized in the body and so if you eat too many of them, it may lead to bloating and digestion problems.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.