By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
Pistachios are one tiny, yet nutritious little nut. They’re not as popular as other nuts such as walnuts, peanuts, or cashews, but they sure do offer quite a few health benefits! Not to mention, Arizona actually produces a lot of them! 
So, what makes these little green nuts so special? Well, according to Healthline, there’s actually quite a few things.
- Pistachios are actually one of the most vitamin B6 foods available, and vitamin B6 is essential for blood sugar regulation and hemoglobin formation.
- Pistachios are rich in potassium; 1 ounce contains more potassium than half of a large banana.
- Pistachios are chock full of antioxidants. In fact, the antioxidant content of pistachios is much higher than that of other nuts. These antioxidants are crucial for reduced inflammation and disease prevention.
- Pistachios are low in calories but high in protein. 14% of their calorie content comes from protein, making them only second to almonds.
- Pistachios are also high in fiber, with one serving providing you with 3 grams.
Arizona actually produces way more pistachios than I would have ever guessed, which is really cool! According to Farm Progress, pistachios are very climate-sensitive, and the southeastern part of Arizona is one of those places where pistachios thrive. This would explain why Arizona ranks second in terms of pistachio production, with California coming in first.
Pistachios make a great and very nutritious snack. Or they’re also a great addition to salads, desserts, meats, and in sauces such as pesto. Check out some of the following recipes from Fill Your Plate!