
It’s brown, brain-shaped and makes a great topping for
salads. It tastes good with dried fruits or light deserts like pudding or
mouhallabieh and is very nutritious.
But before you let your imagination take over, what we’re
referring to is the walnut. Read on to discover the many reasons why the walnut
is a healthy addition to your diet:
Walnuts, a major source of healthy fats!
Walnuts, a major source of healthy fats!
o Walnuts contain a high amount of healthy oils varying
between 62.3 and 66.5%. They contain 18 types of unsaturated fatty acids,
including essential linoleic acid which has big benefits for body and brain,
especially the brain development of little ones. Essential fats were also found
to help improve cognitive function in the elderly, elevate the mood and promote
healthy skin!
o Everyone has heard about omega-3 fatty acids. They are
mainly found in fatty fish such as salmons. But walnuts are also a rich source.
Studies have shown that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may help lower
triglycerides, reduce high-blood pressure and increase HDL cholesterol as well
as help prevent blood from clotting. These heart-protective properties of
walnuts are the reason why they are perfect for a healthy, crunchy snack!
Good to know
8 to 10 halves of walnuts a day can significantly contribute
to improving the health of heart patients! So go ahead and eat up!
Walnuts are full of antioxidants and
vitamin E!
Walnuts contain anti-oxidants that play an essential role in
protecting cells from external harmful conditions. This is why studies have
linked it to protection against certain types of cancer. Vitamin E in walnuts
also acts as an antioxidant and is found to improve the body’s immune system as
well as help promote healthy skin.
In a nutshell, it is a good idea to
add walnuts to your daily balanced diet. But you need to remember that walnuts
are high in calories and should be eaten in moderation. In fact, ¼ cup or 12
halves contain about 164 calories, so try and have just a few every day to
enjoy all its benefits!