Going Nuts with Antioxidants

Walnut, Hazelnut, Almond in their shells

Nuts is another of Nature's protein source, especially for those folks who choose to be vegetarian and vegan.

Besides protein, they are also full of vitamins and minerals, and ... the healthy fats, in their raw forms. The reason why I make this qualification is that with roasted nuts, if they are roasted in unhealthy oils, all these unhealthy oils will be soaked up in the nuts. As consumers, we might consume these oils unknowingly.

Also, those nuts that are coated in caramel or sugar, or other unhealthy toppings, will come with more calories than in their raw forms.

Needless to say, different nuts will have different contents of nutrients, including different types of antioxidant mix and of different amounts of antioxidants.

Nuts' Main Nutrients

• Antioxidant:  Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), Vitamin E,
  
• Other:             Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Protein, Fibre, Calcium, Vitamin (B,E), Manganese, Zinc, Iron
  

Interesting stuff on Nuts

Native of:

• Different nuts from different parts of the world, such as :
  

                Almond - Native to Middle East and South Asia           

                Brazil Nut - Native to South America

                Chestnut - Native to Europe, America, East Asia

                Hazelnut - Native to North America, Europe, Asia

                Macadamia - Native to Australia

                Pecan - Native to Mexico and South central and South eastern parts of USA

                Pistachio - Native to West Asia and Asia Minor

                Walnut (English) - Native to Persia

                Walnut (Black) - Native to USA

 
Now Found/Grown in:

• Some nuts, while native to one region are now found grown in other parts of the world, such as:

              Almond - now found/grown in North Africa, South Asia, South Europe, USA

              Pecan - now found/grown in Australia, other parts of South America, Africa,

                            Isreal.

             Pistachio - now found/grown in USA, Europe, South Asia           

             Walnut - now found/grown in China, Iran, Europe, South America

Walnut

Chestnut

Examples of Health Benefits of Nuts

• Anti-inflammatory due to Omega-3 content
• Lowering cholesterol - mainly due to their Omega-3 contents
• Reduces PMS symptoms - due to manganese contents
• Regulate blood sugar
• Brain Booster - from their magnesium, Omega-3, and Vitamin E contents
• Cancer fighter
• For heart health
• For eye health
• For healthy skin
  

Pistachios

Some precautions

• Brazil nuts have high level of Selenium - the suggestion is to keep to only a small serving or two.