The Benefits of Nuts

WHY ARE NUTS GOOD FOR YOU?

BY Doug Evans, Osteopath at Hopewood Health Retreat

Nuts are an excellent source of essential nutrients without many of the drawbacks you get from most animal products.  There is less saturated fat and no cholesterol in nuts which makes them an excellent and healthy option.

While they are low in saturated fats they are a great source of essential fatty acids like omega 3 and 6.  Even better, they are in a form which has not been damaged by processing or refining! Every cell in your body requires a little Omega 3, unfortunately the modern Australian diet is low in Omega 3 oils, more nuts = a healthier you!

Nuts are high in fibre and rich in protein, they also have a good level of the amino acid arginine which helps relax and open blood flow.  Your heart will thank you for eating more nuts.  Almost all the B vitamins are present in nuts (only B12 is missing), there are also high levels of vitamin E, calcium, iron and zinc to be found in nuts.

For maximum benefits nuts need to be raw, fresh and most certainly unsalted, because nuts are so calorie dense too many nuts can cause weight gain.  Enjoy nuts responsibly!

Nuts provide benefit to almost all your body.  Everyone knows nuts are high in vitamin B and essential fatty acids such as Omega 3, most people don’t realise nuts are also high in fibre and rich in protein with a good level of arginine which helps relax and open blood flow.

For maximum benefits nuts need to be raw, fresh and definitely unsalted. Because they are calorie dense too many can cause weight gain

It is important to note peanuts and coconuts are different to most nuts and the information does not apply to them.  Peanuts contain a mould that can be damaging to the liver in high doses so care is advised when eating them. Coconuts are very high in saturated fats (85%) and unlike most nuts they are a poor source of Omega 3.