Nuts are extremely good for one’s health, and are vastly underrated as nutritious food.
Artificially produced dietary and energy supplements are more relied on than the natural foods and hence a lot of people do not realize the value of certain natural foods. Nuts are a prime example of such foods.
Raw tree nuts, such as almonds, cashews and walnuts are known to lower cholesterol in humans along with increasing the general wellbeing of the heart, helping control the weight of a person and even lowering the risk of developing cancer.
A handful of nuts everyday has the potential to complete all the filling protein, fiber, unsaturated fats, vitamins and important minerals deficiencies caused due to unbalanced or deficient meals.
Some Common Nuts And Their Benefits
Walnuts
- Also known as ‘Inflammation Fighters’, walnuts are famous for being the nuts with the highest amount of antioxidants.
- These help protect the body from cellular damage, and consequently various diseases such as heart diseases, premature ageing, and cancer.
- Walnuts are also known to be the richest source of Omega-3 fatty acids which are helpful in fighting off inflammation.
- They are also a great source of healthy unsaturated fats for people who do not eat fish (since fishes are the primary source of such unsaturated fats).
- The manganese contained in the walnuts are also known to ward off PMS symptoms and hence should be in the purses of all girls during that time of the month.
Almonds
- Almonds are considered to be the richest sources of fiber, about three grams per ounce.
- They are also the richest in Vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant.
- Almonds are also known to be exceptionally good for people trying to lose weight.
- According to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, out of the two groups of obese adults that followed a low calorie diet for six months, the group that included almonds in its diet lost more weight.
- Almonds are also a must for all those people who are worried about their blood sugar levels.
- They are known to help reduce levels of the bad LDL cholesterol and also decrease insulin resistance.
Cashews
- Cashew nuts are exceptionally rich in zinc and iron. Iron is required by the body to ensure proper delivery of oxygen to all body cells and hence prevent anaemia. Zinc, on the other hand, is imperative for a healthy immune system and proper vision.
- Cashews are also rich in magnesium, and hence help improve memory while also guarding against any age related memory loss.
Pecans
- Known mostly for the delicious pies made using this nut, pecans are far more useful than just being used for the pies.
- Pecans are especially known for improving the overall heart health.
- Pecans are also rich in antioxidants and consequently prevent the formation and build-up of plaque in the arteries.
- A study published in the Journal of Nutrition has revealed that consumption of pecans can help lower LDL cholesterol levels by almost 33 percent.
- Pecans also help boost brain health, and the vitamin E found in the pecan nuts can delay the progression of degenerative neurological diseases, such as amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
See how beneficial these tiny looking things can be? So we say, GO NUTS!