Cholesterol and Fats

• Pistachios contain no cholesterol and can actually help decrease bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. By improving cholesterol levels, pistachios help reduce risk of heart disease. One serving of pistachios, about 49 kernels, has about 160 calories, 117 of which comes from fat, Pistachio Health notes. While it seems like this is a high ratio of fats, these are mostly good fats (unsaturated) that can lower the risk of heart disease. Unsaturated fats, as opposed to bad fats, add flavor and make people feel full without negatively affecting the heart.
  
  

Antioxidants

• According to Pistachio Health, pistachios have high levels of beta carotene and gamma tocopherol---all antioxidants---which help reduce cholesterol levels by helping the body decrease oxidation of bad cholesterol. Pistachios also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which promote eye health. These antioxidants help reduce age-related macular degeneration, which is the most common cause of blindness for people over 65 years of age.
  
  

Fiber and Protein

• Pistachios have a lot of dietary fiber and protein, which combined with the healthy fats, make pistachios a great diet snack. Fiber, protein and fats increase the feeling of fullness and the length of time before a person feels hungry again. Pistachio Health says a serving of pistachios contains about 3 grams of dietary fiber--making up 12 percent of a person's daily recommended value. These values are based on a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. Fiber not only keeps people full, but it also controls blood sugar and lowers the risks for some cancers.
  
  

Vitamins

• Pistachios contain high amounts of B6 and other B vitamins. These vitamins help build muscle, increase energy and fight infection. In one serving of pistachios, there are 30 vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
  
  

Minerals

• Pistachios are a great source of minerals. According to Pistachio Health, they contain copper, manganese and phosphorus, which all help build strong bones. Plus, pistachios contain significant amounts of potassium and magnesium that promote heart health by helping to regulate heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, pistachios contain phytosterols, which lower the absorption of cholesterol from other foods, and also have arginine, which helps prevent build-up in arterial walls by creating nitric oxide in the blood.