If the selection of plants in the “treasure trove of nutrients”, it must be nuts, here to create a “health file” to help you have a comprehensive understanding of nuts.
First, walnuts: brain protection pacesetter
Compared with other nuts, walnuts have three main advantages: First, they are rich in vitamin E and polyphenols, so it has the role of strengthening immunity, resisting atherosclerosis, protecting eyesight, eliminating age spots. Secondly, walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and several international studies have shown that eating walnuts in moderation daily can improve memory, reduce anxiety, slow down brain aging and prevent cognitive impairment. In addition, walnuts contain more melatonin, which helps improve sleep quality and is especially suitable for the elderly who have insufficient melatonin secretion capacity.
Comment: According to Chinese medicine, walnuts are warm and sweet in nature, which can nourish the kidneys and moisten the lungs, and are good for back pain, frequent urination, tinnitus and premature graying of the hair caused by kidney deficiency. Compared with old walnuts, new walnuts have more water and vitamin content, and the overall nutritional value is not much different. In addition to eating directly, it is recommended to use walnuts for cooking, such as cooking porridge, mixed with cold dishes when added, has a good therapeutic effect, is a nutritional good for the elderly.
Second, cashew nuts: cooking star
Overall, the nutritional value of cashew nuts is very good, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin K, magnesium, iron, zinc, monounsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients are relatively high, but not particularly outstanding. But it is worth affirming that cashew nuts, because of the high sugar and starch content and less fiber, so the taste is sweet and crispy, especially suitable for cooking into the dishes, cashew nuts celery, etc. are very popular dishes.
Comment: Chinese medicine believes that cashew nuts are flat and sweet, have the effect of lowering blood pressure, benefit the face, diuretic and cooling. However, the saturated fat content of cashew nuts is high, should not eat more, in addition, it also contains a variety of allergenic substances, allergic to the first consumption of the best to eat 1 to 2 first observation, to determine no prickling, sneezing and other allergic symptoms, and then feel free to eat.
Third, pistachios: friends of the heart
Pistachios are rich in nutrients, in addition to rich in beta carotene, B vitamins and vitamin E, in its bright green nuts also contain a large number of lutein, this phytochemical helps protect vision and prevent retinal macular degeneration.
Pistachios have long been described as a “friend of the heart,” and U.S. studies have found that pistachios are rich in phytosterols, which can prevent dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, Mexican and Indian studies have found that moderate consumption of pistachios can promote metabolism and improve blood sugar levels.
Comment: Ancient medical practitioners in China highly respected the health value of pistachios, that pistachios have the therapeutic effect of Qi and open depression. It is worth reminding, when buying the best choice of natural, unbleached, this pistachio nutritional value is high, and safer. Pistachio shell should be creamy yellow, with a few spots, the fruit coat is purple-red, the nuts are bright green. Bleached pistachio shells are whiter, the coat and kernels are dark yellow, and anthocyanins and lutein are heavily damaged. In the clinic, a lot of people allergic to pistachios, so people with allergies should be careful to eat.
Fourth, almonds: all-around champion
Almonds are rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin E, as well as calcium, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, iron, dietary fiber and many other nutrients, with regulation of blood pressure, lowering blood lipids, improve metabolism, prevention of chronic diseases and other health benefits. It is worth mentioning that the fatty acid composition of almond oil is very similar to that of olive oil, which makes it a very good cooking oil.
Comment: Chinese medicine says that almonds are warm in nature and suitable for most people, with the effect of clearing lungs and phlegm, relieving cough and asthma, laxative and laxative. But we need to remind you that there are bitter almonds and sweet almonds, bitter almonds are smaller, reddish brown on the surface, asymmetrical left and right, slightly bitter taste, slightly toxic, although it has medicinal value such as relieving cough and moistening the lungs, lowering gas and clearing fire, but it is best to ask the relevant doctor before eating to avoid poisoning.
Sweet almonds are larger, light yellow-brown, symmetrical, slightly sweet, best fried before eating, but also can be beaten into pieces in a blender, mixed into the porridge, and even pastry, delicious and nutritious. But the consumption of almonds must buy the finished edible processed, and also to prevent allergies.
Five, peanuts: the civilian aristocracy
Peanuts are inexpensive, rich supply, whether protein, minerals, vitamin content are very good, can be described as the most cost-effective nuts. In accordance with modern people’s nutritional needs, nuts should be low fat, high protein, peanuts just meet this point, and other nuts compared to peanuts fat content of only 44%, ranked last, while the highest protein content, accounting for 24%. For vegetarians, peanuts are a pretty good source of plant protein.
According to Chinese medicine, peanuts are flat and sweet in nature, and can strengthen the spleen and stomach, nourish blood and stop bleeding, moisten the lungs and stop coughing, and diuretic down the breast. Peanuts can be eaten in a variety of ways, it is best to boil them in water and avoid deep-frying. It is worth reminding that the red coat of peanuts is rich in nutrients, has a hemostatic effect, it is recommended that people at risk of thrombosis is best to remove the red coat.
Six, pine nuts: weight loss master
Pine nuts are rich in phosphorus, manganese, glutamic acid content of up to 16.3%, all three have enhanced brain cell metabolism, supplementing the role of brain power. Pine nuts are highly respected abroad for their weight loss effects. Dutch research found that a component of pine nuts can promote the body’s secretion of “cholecystokinin”, thereby suppressing appetite, to achieve weight loss purposes. U.S. research found that overweight people eat a handful of pine nuts before breakfast every day can reduce the amount of meals a day by 37%.
Comment: According to Chinese medicine, pine nuts are warm and sweet in nature, and have the effect of nourishing Yin and moistening dryness, and supporting the deficiency, especially suitable for people with physical deficiency, constipation and cough. People with spleen deficiency, diarrhea and phlegm should not eat pine nuts or eat less of them. Pine nuts are best kept in an airtight container to prevent oxidation and spoilage and odor.