Nuts: obvious benefits and hidden dangers

What Science Says About Nuts

American scientists have been collecting data on nut lovers for 30 years and have come to an interesting conclusion. People who frequently eat these fruits tend to drink more, but are less likely to suffer from heart and vascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. The researchers involved about 120 thousand health care workers in the survey. All of them were initially tested, and no pathologies such as cancer, stroke or heart disease were found. Data on health status and nut consumption were updated in the questionnaires of the subjects every 2-4 years.

The statistics clearly showed a tendency that the diet of "squirrel people" was richer in fruits and vegetables compared to the menu of those who did not like nuts. In terms of bad habits, it was noted that the former drank about 2.5 times more alcohol daily, but poisoned their lungs with nicotine 1.5 times less intensively. Unfortunately, scientists have not been able to prove the connection between nut consumption and increased life expectancy. Despite this, since 2003, the relevant US department has officially recognized nuts as a valuable product for the human body and recommends eating 43 grams of fruit daily to avoid the development of cardiovascular diseases.

The healthiest nuts

Hippocrates mentioned the benefits of walnut fruits, who was confident in their medicinal properties for the stomach, liver and kidneys. However, not all nuts have the same effect on the body. Let's try to figure out what is useful and for what.

Walnuts are not only complete food for the brain, but also a storehouse of benefits for the entire body. In addition to minerals and a number of vitamins (A, B1, B2, E and F), they are rich in vegetable proteins. Due to the content of iron, cobalt, potassium, magnesium, zinc and iodine, the consumption of the fruit has a preventive effect on atherosclerosis, anemia and vascular diseases (promote the resorption of sclerotic plaques and improve vascular permeability). The product is indispensable for vitamin deficiency, strengthens the immune system and even increases male potency. Walnut protein normalizes the functioning of the intestines and stomach, normalizes stool. In addition to the fruits themselves, shell partitions are also used in medicine, tinctures from which are recommended for diabetes types I and II.

Walnuts are also indispensable for a growing body, pregnant women and nursing mothers. It is important to know your daily intake: children - no more than 5-7 nuts, pregnant women - 10-12.

The nut can cause harm to people who are allergic to the protein of this product. Due to the high calorie content of the fruit, people who are overweight should not eat them. It is not recommended to eat nuts in case of acute intestinal diseases and those suffering from eczema or psoriasis.

A study has shown that including seven walnuts in the daily diet for six months can increase the content of "good" cholesterol in the blood by 18%, and reduce "bad" cholesterol by 10%.

Hazelnuts are comparable in protein value to meat and fish. They are 2/3 unsaturated fatty acids, which are essential for the human body. The vitamin and mineral content of hazelnuts helps in the fight against cardiovascular diseases, varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. This is an excellent toxin-removing product that prevents putrefactive processes in the body and cleanses the liver.

Hazelnuts contain a substance called paclitaxel, which has a preventive effect on cancer. Hazelnuts are useful for athletes, as they help build muscle mass, and for nursing mothers, provoking an increase in the production of breast milk.

The daily norm of hazelnuts is no more than 50 g. Excessive consumption of this delicacy can lead to headaches and extra pounds. In case of chronic diseases of the stomach, liver and intestines, as well as severe diabetes, doctors recommend abstaining from hazelnuts.

Peanuts are not considered nuts from a scientific point of view, but are a member of the legume family. 100 g of peanuts contain 50 g of fat, so they quickly satisfy hunger, but their consumption in large doses can cause weight gain. Peanuts contain polyphenols that have a beneficial effect on cells, preventing their premature aging. The fruits are also recommended for hemophilia, since eating peanuts increases blood clotting. However, they are harmful to patients with varicose veins.

Peanut protein is recognized as a strong allergen, since the body's reaction to it can be very diverse - from itching and redness of the skin to anaphylactic shock. Peanuts can be harmful to people with arthritis and gout due to their high protein content. Also, the nut can suppress digestive processes, so it should not be abused and combined with other heavy products.

Pecan is recognized as the most delicious nut with the highest energy value. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, prevents the development of coronary heart disease and heart attack, cleanses blood vessels and removes toxins from the body. The carotene it contains has a beneficial effect on vision, and fatty acids act as an antitumor agent.

Like all other representatives of the nut family, pecans are contraindicated for those suffering from obesity. Excessive consumption of the product is fraught with digestive disorders, since the stomach may not cope with a large volume of such nutritious fruits.

Almonds are habitually called nuts, but they are the pits of the fruits of a bush or tree. Regular consumption of 2 to 10 "nuts" per day allows you to activate brain processes, cleanse the blood and increase male potency. The rich vitamin and mineral composition of almonds helps get rid of insomnia and put your nerves in order. Patients with bronchial asthma and pneumonia are prescribed to eat the pits on a regular basis. Sweet almonds in the permitted norm are not dangerous, unlike their "brother" - bitter, which is toxic due to the high content of hydrocyanic acid.

Pine nuts have an interesting property - they help you lose weight, despite the exceptional calorie content, like all representatives of the nut family. The fact is that by eating a small amount of them, a person quickly gets full and satisfies excessive appetite. Often the fruits can be found as an ingredient in Mediterranean diets. For elderly people, eating pine kernels helps prevent coronary artery disease and stroke.

Most nuts or fruits, which we traditionally call so, have a lot of useful properties, especially for strengthening the immune system and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, they should be included in your daily diet, if there are no serious contraindications such as individual intolerance or those indicated by a nutritionist.