American Pistachios Growers (APG), a non-profit trade association representing more than 800 grower members in the U.S., organized a virtual knowledge session to discuss immunity building properties in pistachios and announce Luke Coutinho as its lifestyle ambassador in India.
The session was addressed by Coutinho, a holistic lifestyle coach—integrative medicine and Mike Roussell, PhD, nutrition consultant and advisor to Men’s Health magazine, United States. The session was presided over by Ron Verdonk, minister counselor for agriculture, U.S. Embassy, India and moderated by Sumit Saran, India representative of the APG.
Inaugurating the session, Verdonk said, “I am especially happy Luke Coutinho, known for his commitment to nutrition, fitness and holistic lifestyle, recommends American pistachios. The Indian food sector is poised for exponential growth and we are constantly exploring opportunities to serve Indian consumers with high-quality, healthy, wholesome and safe products from the U.S. Pistachios are a natural fit in the market. We strongly believe in the quality and value of U.S. agricultural products which comply in quality with the demands of the Indian marketplace. Both India and the United States recognize the need to encourage healthier lifestyles through exercise and diet in order to combat malnutrition and other public health challenges. We hope to make 2021 a great year for American grown pistachios in India as we find new ways to complement our food and beverage cultures.”
“I am very happy to be associated with American Pistachio Growers,” says Coutinho. “Indians have always used pistachios as a garnish on desserts, biryanis, etc. It is time we become more aware about this nut and make American-grown pistachios part of our daily diet. Pistachios are a complete protein and a handful have the same amount of protein as an egg. This is great news for vegetarians and those looking for plant-based protein sources. These make it a perfect for Indians.”
“According to the International Food Information Council’s Year-end Survey, one in three people report their eating habits have become healthier over the past year. Also, more than 22 percent of respondents report their choices affect their mental and physical health,” said Roussell. “Adding pistachios to the diet can help give your body more vitamins and minerals and help your immune system function at its best. A healthy immune system aids in the healing process and shortens recovery time.”
Moderating the discussion, Saran said, “India is a growth market for American grown pistachios. India does not produce any pistachios. However, as awareness about pistachios and its health benefits increase, we are seeing continuous growth in demand. We are honored to have Luke Coutinho as lifestyle ambassador for American Pistachio Growers in India.”
For more information:
American Pistachio Growers
Tel: +1 (559) 475-0435
https://americanpistachios.org