TOP 6 HEALTHIEST NUTS

Are You Nuts about Health

I am totally nuts about my health.  I keep up with the latest news and learning things on what foods can do to the body.  Nuts are making a huge comeback.  It has become a wonderful fulfilling snack and top it off good for the heart.  How about that?  A mini snack that is healthy and great for the body.  Now, it depends on how the nuts are treated- extra stuff that are added to it such as, partially hydrogenated oils, is not good.   Partially hydrogenated oils are bad oils – known as man-made trans-fat.  I will get into this later in future postings.


Lets get back to the top six healthiest nuts:

1. WALNUTS – the “King of Nuts”- excellent source of manganese, copper, magnesium, vitamin B6, folate, fiber, protein, thiamine, zinc, potassium, and iron.  Also contains alpha-linolenic acid, antioxidants, phytosterols, and beta-sitosterol.  A healthy omega 3 essential fatty acid.It protects the heart- lowers cholesterol, promote better cognitive function, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, and psoriasis.
2. ALMONDS- excellent source of vitamin E, fiber, protein, riboflavin, manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, niacin, c alcium, potassium, iron, zinc, antioxidants, and phyosterols.  It reduces blood markers of oxidative stress, lowers cholesterol, good for colon, and almonds has as much calcium as a quarter cup of milk.
3. CASHEWS-  excellent source of vitamin K, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, protein, potassium, selenium, manganese, zinc, iron, beta-sitosterol, antioxidant proanthocyanidins, and squalene.  It’s lower in fat than most nuts. 
4. PECANS-  excellent source of fiber, manganese, copper, protein, thiamine, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, beta-sitosterol, squalene, and antioxidant.  It lowers cholesterol and help clear the arteries.
5. BRAZIL NUTS-  high content of the essential mineral selenium.  It’s an excellent source of vitamin E, fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, protein, beta-sitosterol, squalene, and antioxidant.  Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that works to neutralize dangerous free radicals.
6. MACADAMIA NUTS-  excellent source of thiamine, manganese, fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and selenium.  It contains high proportion of fat as monounsaturated fat, which is beneficial in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

The key is eating the nuts in moderation and a small handful at a time.  Eating a variety of the nuts is a good way to get the great benefits.