Nuts Health Benefits

One can never eat just a handful of nuts. You always somehow want some more. After munching down on, say about a bowl of nuts, the nightmares of defeating the purpose of the diet start haunting you. But there is a silver lining to eating nuts, health benefits from their consumption are numerous.

Advantages of Consuming Nuts

Nuts are a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, antioxidants and good fats. Nuts contain mono-saturated fats that are good for the body, incidentally this fat helps keep the stomach flat. This fat also helps prevent chronic heart diseases. It is said that 10 walnuts complete our daily need for omega 3 fatty acids. Around 15 to 20 almonds can provide for most of our daily vitamin E need. Peanuts provide for 25% of our daily need for niacin and folate.

Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are dry fruits which are similar to macadamia nuts. These nuts are rich in protein, fiber, selenium, magnesium, phosphorous, vitamin E and thiamine. Selenium in these nuts helps ward off the risk of cancer, as this antioxidant helps fight carcinogenic free radicals. They also help one maintain weight and in the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Brazil nuts are helpful for the patients suffering from Acrodermatitis enteropathica which is a rare inherited disease. This is so because Brazil nuts can help alleviate zinc deficiency.

Pine Nuts
Pine nuts are actually edible seeds of pine trees. They are one of the few sources of pinolenic acid, which acts as natural appetite suppressant. They also contain oleic acid which helps the liver function properly. Pine nuts also help prevent the blockage of arteries. These nuts are packed with iron which helps the body maintain the right hemoglobin levels. Magnesium found in pine nuts help prevent muscle cramps and fatigue.

Walnuts
Walnuts are rightly called the food of the gods. They strengthen the immune system, protect the heart and nourish our brain. Walnuts are a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids which makes them an ideal health snack for people suffering from asthma, arthritis, eczema and psoriasis. Walnuts reduce the cholesterol level in the body and encourage the production of good cholesterol. They also help people with sleep related illness. Some also say that walnuts reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. They are also known to increase the bone density and prevent gallstones.

Peanuts
Monkey nut, ground nut are some of the many names that peanuts are known by. Munching peanuts is not only a good way to pass time but also an excellent way to nourish your body. Peanuts provide the body with the required vitamins that help maintain a balanced metabolic rate. They nourish, strength muscles and tissues. Peanuts provide the body with good fats that protect the heart. They also help fight against harmful free radicals.

Almonds
Almonds are known to be greatly beneficial for a healthy skin. They help against pimples, premature wrinkles and hair fall. Almond oil massages are known to give the skin a natural glowing complexion. Almonds are used to treat anemia as they are a rich source of copper and iron. Almonds are known to improve bone density. They are also very good for the brain. They are good for the digestive system too as they are natural laxatives.

These were some of the nuts health benefits. So the next time, you catch yourself munching away on some nuts, don't worry you are doing your body good than you can imagine.