Are pistachios good for my child’s eye
We live in a world where our children are very particular about eating. Having said that, the parents are also determined to make their child a clean eater. In this delimma, here is a question that we are going to address: ‘are pistachios good for my child’s eye?’
Overall health benefits
Before discussing their ocular benefits, it is also noted that their consumption is beneficial for gut, heart and blood sugar balance. They are also good source of gamma tocopherol which helps in reducing the risk of colon, prostate and lung cancer.
Here is the little understanding of their benefits for the eyes of childeren:
Night vision and cornea health
Pistachios contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help maintain the structure and function of retinal cells. Healthy fats also improve the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, which is essential for night vision and improves corneal health.
Blood circulation in eyes
They support retinal blood flow and help in good circulation essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the macula. Pistachios contain arginine, which helps produce nitric oxide, improving blood flow to the retina.
Reduction in inflammation
Chronic inflammation can contribute to eye diseases. The polyphenols and flavonoids in pistachios help reduce inflammation, indirectly keeping the eyes healthy.
Protection from dry eyes
The healthy fats and vitamin E in pistachios help maintain tear film stability, reducing the risk of dry eye syndrome, especially in people who spend long hours on screens.
What is the nutrient intake of pistachios?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1 ounce (oz), or approximately 49 kernels of unroasted, unsalted pistachios contain
Calories: 159
Protein: 5.7 grams (g)
Fat: 12.8 g
Carbohydrates: 7.7 g
Fiber: 3.0 g
Sugars: 2.2 g
Magnesium: 34.3 milligrams (mg)
Potassium: 289.0 mg
Phosphorus: 139 mg
Thiamin: 0.25 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.5 mg
General Guidelines by Age:
1–3 years: 2–5 pistachios per day
4–6 years: 5–10 pistachios per day
7–12 years: 10–20 pistachios per day
Teenagers (13–18 years): 20–30 pistachios per day
Why Are Pistachios Good for Children?
Rich in Protein – Supports growth and muscle development.
Good for Brain Health – Contains healthy fats & vitamin B6 for cognitive function.
Strengthens Immunity – Antioxidants like vitamin E fight infections.
Lower risk of AMD and cataracts
Pistachios contribute to eye health due to their rich nutrient profile, particularly their high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are antioxidants known to protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other vision-related issues. These two antioxidants are found in the retina and macula, where they help filter harmful blue light and reduce oxidative stress which reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. It also contains vitamin E which protect eye cells from oxidative damage.
Founder of EyesMatterMost- an optometry student who loves talking about eyes. I tend to cover topics related to optometry, ophthalmology, eye health, eyecare, eye cosmetics and everything in between. This website is a medium to educate my readers everything related to eyes.