Dubai's nutty obsession: The rise and health of pistachios
These nuts have already been labelled "trendy," and towards the end of the year, the craze for Dubai chocolate began. As is known, pistachios are an important ingredient. What is it about these nuts that makes them hard to resist?
Pistachios, those small green nuts, can be found in many popular desserts. They're in delicious breakfast croissants, cheesecakes, macarons, and ice creams. Now they've also contributed to the success of Dubai chocolate. Fortunately, they are also valued by nutritionists as a healthy snack. Christian Merkel, a dermatologist and nutritionist from the Munich Centre for Skin Health and Laser Therapy, spoke about them for the German edition of "Vogue" magazine.
A healthy snack
The expert begins by explaining why pistachios are considered a healthy snack. It's primarily about the many important nutrients, including vitamins B6 and E, folic acid, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Pistachios are also rich in beneficial eye antioxidants, especially lutein and zeaxanthin. Regular consumption of these nuts can significantly increase lutein levels in the retina, reducing the risk of macular degeneration. They also contain fibre, which aids digestion and supports gut health. In addition, they are a source of protein, providing long-lasting energy.
Fats? No worries
Pistachios are also rich in fats, but we don't have to worry about them. These are unsaturated fatty acids that have a beneficial effect on the body. Dr. Merkel adds that the omega-9 fatty acids present in pistachios lower cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the oil in which pistachios are roasted doesn't always have the same benefits. Therefore, it is better to choose dry-roasted pistachios rather than those roasted in oil. They also have significantly fewer calories.
What about Dubai chocolate
Dr. Merkel emphasizes that both raw and roasted pistachios are a healthy snack, provided we pay attention to portion size. He recommends 30 grams daily, which is equivalent to a handful of nuts. On this occasion, the expert noted that Dubai chocolate is not healthier due to the pistachio content. The pistachio layer it contains may have healthy fats and proteins, but this doesn't make up for the fact that this dessert has a lot of sugar. Therefore, moderation is always important. And, of course, it's best to eat pistachios without any additives.
