can pistachios upset your stomach

Pistachios are the seeds of the pistachio tree. They’re usually green, and they taste slightly sweet. They’re called nuts, but botanically pistachios are seeds. People have been eating them for thousands of years.

The kernels can be different colors, ranging from yellow to shades of green. They’re usually about an inch long and half an inch in diameter. If you want to taste one, you’ll have to crack open its hard shell first.

California, Arizona, and New Mexico make up all of America’s commercial pistachio production. You can buy pistachios shelled, unshelled, roasted, or salted. They’re in most grocery stores, and you can buy them in bulk from pistachio growers.Â

Some potential side effects of consuming pistachios include: Gastrointestinal discomfort: Pistachios and other nuts contain fiber and certain carbohydrates that can be difficult to digest for some people. This can result in gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, gas, or abdominal discomfort.

Are Pistachios Good for You?

Pistachios are a nutritious  addition to your diet. They are made up of 20% protein, a much higher calorie-to-protein ratio than that of most nuts. This protein can make you feel full longer and help you manage your weight.

Pistachios also boast a high amount of antioxidants, second only to walnuts and pecans. Antioxidants help fight against free radicals, which are compounds in your body that can harm cells, proteins, and DNA, causing premature aging as well as illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Pistachios are a good source of unsaturated fatty acids and potassium. Both have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory traits.

Like other nuts, pistachios are a staple of the Mediterranean diet, which has been linked to overall long-term health.

Pistachios can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar at healthy levels. (Photo Credit: Moment / Getty s)

Research has found several possible health benefits of these tasty nuts, including:Â

• Promotion of healthy gut bacteriaPistachios are high in fiber, which can act as a prebiotic, or the food that is digested by your guts good bacteria to help them grow. Your gut bacteria are then able to ferment the fiber and convert it into short-chain fatty acids, which help reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and digestive disorders.
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol levelsPistachios have been shown to have cholesterol-lowering effects. These nuts have fiber and high quantities of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, all of which are linked to healthy cholesterol levels and reduced risk of heart disease. And research shows that eating pistachios – especially when compared to eating other nuts – results in lower blood pressure.
• Healthy blood sugar levelsPistachios have a low glycemic index, which means that eating them doesnt cause large spikes in blood sugar. They also have antioxidants, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds, which all support healthy blood sugar levelsÂ
• Improved blood vessel healthAmino acids are considered essential, so if your body cant make them, you have to get them through your diet. Some studies suggest that the amino acids in pistachios lower the amount of fat and sugar (glycemic index) in your blood and can tone up your blood vessels and make them more flexible.
• Better eye healthPistachios have the highest levels of zeaxanthin and lutein among nuts, both of which protect your eyes from damage caused by blue light as well as macular degeneration, an eye disease that can cause vision loss as you age.
• Weight lossEating pistachios may also help you lose weight. Theyre rich in fiber and protein, which results in you feeling full and may help you eat less.A quick tip: Ditch the shelled pistachios and choose in-shell pistachios to snack on. In-shell pistachios promote eating slowly and mindfully, because it takes time to remove the shells. The shells also build up in front of you, showing how much youve eaten so far. Research has shown that people eating in-shell pistachios consumed 41% fewer calories in a sitting, compared to those who ate shelled pistachios.

Side Effects of Pistachios

Pistachios may have negative side effects for some people, including:

Higher intake of sodium

Raw pistachios don’t have much sodium. (1 cup has about 1 milligram.) But that’s not always true for roasted pistachios, which are often salted. A cup of dry roasted pistachios with salt has 526 milligrams of sodium. Too much sodium can put you at higher risk for things like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.Â

FODMAP risks

FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. Put more simply, FODMAPs are certain kinds of carbohydrates. People with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, may limit FODMAPs in their diet to have better control over their symptoms. Pistachios are considered a high-FODMAP food because they contain fructans. If you have fructan intolerance – a bad reaction to this type of carbohydrate – pistachios might bother your belly. If so, you may have:

• Bloating
• Nausea
• Pain in your belly

Allergy risks

Pistachios are tree nuts. Some people with tree nut allergies may have serious reactions to pistachios and should steer clear of them. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to pistachios can include:

• Itchy mouth, eyes, skin, or throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Nausea and belly pain
• Diarrhea
• Congestion or a runny nose
• Troubled breathing or shortness of breath
• Anaphylaxis, a serious reaction that may make it hard to breathe

Anaphylactic shock can be fatal. If you have a tree nut allergy, always keep an auto-injector with epinephrine (or adrenaline) on hand. Epinephrine is the only treatment for anaphylactic shock.Â

If youre allergic to tree nuts like pistachios, be sure to read the packaging on pre-prepared foods to confirm they dont have trace amounts of tree nuts. Your doctor may advise you to avoid peanuts as well. Peanuts and pistachios may cross-contaminate each other in the facilities where theyre processed.

A 1-ounce serving of pistachios, which is about 49 kernels, has about 159 calories and:

• 5.72 grams of protein
• 7.7 grams of carbs
• 12.85 grams of fat
• 3 grams of fiber

Pistachios are cholesterol-free and a great source of vitamins and minerals, including:

They also pack quite a punch of potassium. In fact, a 2-ounce serving has more potassium than a large banana and as much fiber as a cup of cooked broccoli.

Are Pistachios Healthy? Here’s What Experts Say | TIME

FAQ

Are pistachios hard on the digestive system?

Why do pistachios hurt my stomach?

What happens when you eat too many pistachios?

Why do I feel weird after eating pistachios?

Can eating too many pistachios cause stomach pain?

Yes, eating too many pistachios may upset our stomach as the dietary fibers in pistachios may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort. Also, some individuals might be allergic to “Fructan” in pistachios and may experience abdominal pain and stomach discomfort on eating pistachios. (9) Can Eating Too Many Pistachios Cause Weight Gain?

Do pistachios help or hurt weight loss?

Pistachios are a fine food to eat if you are trying to lose weight. Weight loss is dependent on maintaining a calorie deficit, consuming fewer calories in a day than you burn. As long as you consume a moderate number of pistachios you should be able to lose weight. An important thing to watch is the number of pistachios you eat, they can be high in calories, so you have to limit your intake to a specific number of calories that will fit into your diet. Another aspect you need to consider is the high sodium that pistachios can have, try to only buy pistachios that are low in sodium or other ingredients like sugar, because these can make it harder to lose weight.

What happens if you eat too many pistachios?

Eating Too Many pistachios can cause pistachios side effects. This may include weight gain, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, kidney problems, pistachios allergy, and increased risk of microbial infections. (5) Can Pistachios Be Toxic? Pistachios and pistachios shells are not generally toxic.

Are pistachios good for digestion?

The laxative properties of dietary fibers in pistachios improve bowel movement and relieve constipation and other digestive problems like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc. However, excess dietary fibers may overstimulate the bowel and increase the risk of diarrhea.