Walnuts are part of the tree nut family. This food family includes Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts (filberts), macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts. It would be difficult to overestimate the potential health benefits associated with this food family! In the majority of dietary studies, approximately one ounce of tree nuts per day is the minimal amount needed to provide statistically significant benefits, and that's the amount we recommend that you incorporate into your daily diet. In the case of walnuts, one ounce means about 7 shelled walnuts, or 14 walnut halves. Of course, since tree nuts (including walnuts) are a high-calorie food, it's important to incorporate tree nuts into an overall healthy diet that remains on target in terms of calories. Luckily, research has shown that many people are able to take this step with good success in terms of overall caloric intake.
Several species of trees around the world produce walnuts, although the walnuts we most often enjoy in the United States are English walnuts. Walnuts are actually the fruit of trees from the Juglans genus; they can be savory or sweet depending on how they are processed (WHFoods, 2014). This makes walnuts an incredibly versatile fruit. They taste great candied and placed atop cakes, baked into healthy cookies, or in a banana walnut bread. Alternatively, walnuts can be an addition to savory foods, as walnut burgers, a crunchy accompaniment to chicken, or ground into a flavorful pesto. Whether you’re making breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack, walnuts are a great go-to choice.
* Walnuts are a good source of protein and other nutrientsWalnuts contain about 13 to 18 % of protein. For a vegan or vegetarian, they are a good source of protein. Walnuts contain about 60 % fat and are energy-dense.
Walnuts are also rich sources of calcium, about 98 mg per 100 grams. Walnuts benefits also include micronutrients such as potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, folate and dietary fiber.
Walnuts also contain essential omega 3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid.
* Antioxidant-rich walnutsAntioxidants are molecules that help us to keep free radicals in control and protect us by fighting against free radical activity that can lead to several medical concerns.
Walnuts are a good source of vitamin E which is a potent antioxidant. Walnuts also contain phytosterols such as polyphenols and phytomelatonin which have antioxidant properties.
* Walnut benefits include alpha-linolenic acidAlpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid obtained from plant sources and must be provided through the diet. Walnuts are a rich source of ALA and contribute towards good heart health.
8-14 % of the total fat content is ALA in walnuts.
* Walnuts are heart-healthy nutsWalnuts are rich sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega 3 fatty acid. The bioavailability of ALA is high and almost 100 % is absorbed from the diet. The ALA content of walnuts is considerable, 8-14 % of the total fat content is ALA.
ALA exhibits several heart-healthy benefits. It has a positive effect on the blood lipid profile and also helps reduce inflammation.
According to a review of work done on walnuts, it was shown that the two major risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), low-density lipoproteins and blood pressure were reduced with the intake of walnuts.
Walnuts can be included in a heart-healthy diet and hence reap walnut benefits
* Walnuts help in weight lossApart from being packed with nutrients walnut benefits also include reducing weight and weight management.
A study incorporating 30 grams of walnuts per day for three months resulted in weight loss and also brought about positive changes in food choices among the subjects.
It was observed in another study that including walnuts in the daily diet of healthy elders resulted in no adverse effects on body weight or body composition.
Though energy-dense, walnuts in moderation can help in weight management.
* Walnuts and hypertensionAmong the other major walnut benefits, curing Hypertension is prominent. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. By incorporating walnuts in the diet blood pressure lowering property of walnuts can be utilized safely. There is scientific evidence which supports this recommendation.
A review of work done on walnuts benefits on health has shown that one of the two major risk factors of CVDs blood pressure was reduced because of the intake of walnuts.
* Walnuts provide phytomelatoninWalnuts are considered to be one of the best food sources of phytomelatonin, a bioavailable melatonin.
Melatonin is a hormone that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anticancer activities, and exhibits neuroprotection. It is also known for its sleep-regulatory role.
* Walnuts help prevent neurodegenerative diseasesBecause of our lifestyle, there is increased oxidative stress and inflammation which lead to the progression of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. The primary prevention strategy should be adopting healthy dietary habits.
The diet should include foods that are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals.
Walnuts are rich sources of phytochemicals such as polyphenols and also contain omega 3 fatty acids. Walnut benefits reduce oxidant and inflammatory load on brain cells.
An animal study concluded that a diet having walnuts, by reducing oxidative, may help to decrease the risk or delay the onset and advancement of Alzheimer’s disease.
Walnuts are good for our brain cells.
* Anticarcinogenic effect of walnutsA review of the literature available concluded that adding walnuts to a healthy diet could provide benefits against cancer and the mechanisms responsible for this action are several.
Not only multiple mechanisms, but multiple components add to walnut benefits and contribute towards the anti-carcinogenic properties of walnuts.
Consuming substantial amounts of nuts, including walnuts appears to have a protective effect against development of breast cancer.
* Walnuts are diabetic friendlyA study concluded that frequent intake of walnuts was associated with a lower risk of incidence of type 2 diabetes in women. The association continued after the adjustment for other lifestyle factors.
Diabetic people are also at a higher risk of getting CVDs and walnuts may cut down risk factors of CVDs.