Posted on October 18, 2016 by Jenny Cromack
If you have a personal trainer, you probably get sick of them talking about how you should be snacking on nuts. This blog looks at why nuts are good for you, or indeed why nuts are the nuts!
Nuts are one of the healthiest sources of “healthy” fats, quality protein and fibre. As well as that walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and pine nuts are all high in antioxidants.
Research suggests that walnuts are the most beneficial nuts to eat health wise due to their high quality antioxidants however brazil nuts, hazelnuts and pine nuts should certainly be introduced to your snack rotation.
Studies looking at health benefits show that eating a variety of nuts have a greater impact of protecting the heart and preventing cancer.
Here are some nutty facts to make you want to grab your nuts and enjoy the healthy benefits
The Healthy Benefits Of Nuts
Research showed that frequent nut consumption was associated with a decreased risk of heart attack. Eating a 1 ounce serving of nuts five times a week resulted in a 50% lower risk of heart disease than eating the same serving once a week.
Frequently eating nuts can lower the risk of death. Wow that’s a bold statement but The Iowa Women’s Health Study, showed that eating two or more servings of nuts can decrease the risk of death by 12% compared with eating less than one serving a month.
Eating more nuts leads to a decreased risk of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Compared with a low fat control diet, eating a serving of nuts per day improves your insulin health as well as heart health improves too
Keep your nuts raw not roasted to maximise the antioxidant content. It’s also important to avoid hot water blanching and high temperature roasting.
So there you have it, some nutty facts about nuts and why nuts are good for you.