Go nuts about nuts

NUTS, by virtue of their classification as fatty foods, were side-barred for decades as being less than ideal for optimal health. In recent years, however, following the completion of extensive research, we have seen where this argument has been retracted and many experts concluding that these nutrition-packed super foods contribute to optimal health.

Below, Nutritionists Donovan Grant and Jenelle Solomon share the various health benefits of consuming nuts regularly:

They boost calcium levels

Dairy products may be the ultimate source of calcium, which is particularly important to bone and tooth development and health; however, non-dairy foods, and nuts in particular, according to Solomon, have been identified as having enough of the macro mineral to meet the body’s needs.

“The body requires large amounts of calcium for optimal functioning. In the absence of dairy, or eaten in combination with nuts, this can really boost your calcium levels. Nuts such as almond, Brazil, hazel, cashew and walnuts are also good sources of calcium — almonds, perhaps, containing the highest quantity, making it ideal,” Solomon said.

Helps to burn body fat

Nuts, but especially almonds, contain monounsaturated fats which are said to be great at burning belly fat. Solomon noted that almonds are associated with greater weight loss and higher fat metabolism, even though the calorie count listed for nuts is quite high. She explained that what happens is that your body doesn’t absorb all the calories because some amount of fat still remains trapped within the nut’s fibrous wall during digestion.

They are rich in antioxidants

Whether it is walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts, they are all very rich in antioxidants. Grant says that antioxidants play a crucial role in the fight against inflammation as it repairs the self-inflicted cell damage which occurs as a result of the healthy cells in the body attacking themselves.

Rich in Omega-3

“Omega-3 is a nutrient which is very important to brain stimulation and brain power, but what is also true is that walnuts have far more omega-3 than even salmon,” Solomon said. Other nuts such as cashews, almonds, peanuts, and pistachios are also rich in nutrients.

Staves off hunger

Nuts keep you filled for longer periods, which is due in part to the rich fibre content that curbs hunger. This is why they make very good snacks between meals.

Helps to ward off critical health issues

“Nuts contain healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that help lower heart disease risk and even protect the brain,” Grant said. He explained that these components are also responsible for the cholesterol-lowering power of nuts, noting that consuming nuts such as almonds and hazelnuts, for example, have been linked to a significant reduction in bad cholesterol while increasing levels of good cholesterol. In addition, Grant notes that nuts have also been linked to lowering blood pressure and reducing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, stroke and heart diseases.

Strong anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation in the body has the potential to wreak havoc on the organs as well as increase the chances of the disease affecting the body. A regular intake of nuts, according to Grant, can help to protect the body against this. Since they are rich in anti-inflammatory properties, the body will not only be able to protect itself from injuries, but from serious organisms such as bacteria and pathogens.