Actually, whether on holidays or during regular leisure time, many people like to keep some nuts on hand as snacks. Nuts are the essence of plants, generally rich in nutrition, high in protein, oil, minerals, and vitamins, and have excellent effects on human growth and development, strengthening the body, and preventing disease. But, do you really know how to eat these nuts that you can't stop eating?
1. Walnut – The "King" of Antioxidants
Effects and Precautions: The American Dietetic Association recommends that people eat walnuts two to three times a week, especially middle-aged and elderly people and postmenopausal women, because the arginine, oleic acid, and antioxidants in walnuts are very beneficial for protecting the cardiovascular system and preventing coronary heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. Don't eat too many at once, otherwise it will affect digestion. Some people like to peel off the thin brown skin on the surface of the walnut kernel, which will cause a loss of some nutrients, so do not remove this layer of skin.
2. Chestnut – "The Kidney Fruit"
Effects and Precautions: Because chestnuts are rich in soft dietary fiber, diabetics can also enjoy them in moderation. However, raw chestnuts are difficult to digest, and cooked ones can easily cause bloating, so one should not eat too many at a time. It's best to eat chestnuts as a snack between meals or incorporate them into dishes, rather than eating a large amount after a meal, to avoid excessive calorie intake and to help maintain body weight.
Fresh chestnuts are prone to mold and spoilage, and eating moldy chestnuts can cause poisoning, so spoiled chestnuts cannot be eaten.
3. Sunflower Seeds – The Outstanding Seed Among Melon Seeds
Effects and Precautions: Eating a handful of sunflower seeds daily can meet the human body's daily requirement for vitamin E. The protein in sunflower seeds can rival that of various meats, and it especially contains arginine, which is essential for sperm production. Regularly eating sunflower seeds has a certain effect on preventing coronary heart disease, stroke, lowering blood pressure, and protecting blood vessel elasticity. Medical experts believe that sunflower seeds can treat insomnia, enhance memory, and have a certain effect on preventing cancer, high blood pressure, and neurasthenia.
4. Pistachio – The Heart's Friend
Mainly contains monounsaturated fatty acids, so pistachios are less prone to rancidity than other nuts and can lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Effects and Precautions: Eating 10 pistachios at a time is equivalent to consuming 1.5 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids. Pistachios that have been stored for too long should not be eaten. Pistachios are high in calories and contain a relatively high amount of fat, so people who are afraid of gaining weight or have high blood lipids should eat them in moderation.
5. Sweet Almond – "The Cancer-Fighting Fruit"
Sweet almonds contain 50% fat, 25% protein, 10% carbohydrates, and elements such as vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, boron, and potassium.
Effects and Precautions: For coronary heart disease patients who often eat almonds, the chance of angina pectoris is 50% lower than for those who do not. Almonds have a regulatory effect on insulin and blood sugar levels and are also one of the dietary therapies for impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. The boron and calcium rich in almonds are also beneficial for preventing osteoporosis.
6. Hazelnut – "The King of Nuts"
Hazelnuts are rich in nutrition, containing all eight essential amino acids required by the human body, with a content much higher than that of walnuts.
Effects and Precautions: The content of calcium, phosphorus, and iron in hazelnuts is also higher than in other nuts. Because of their rich nutrition and sweet taste, people have regarded them as a precious fruit since ancient times. Hazelnuts are neutral in nature and sweet in taste, with effects such as replenishing qi, strengthening the spleen, stopping diarrhea, improving eyesight, and expelling parasites.
7. Pumpkin Seed – "The Male's Friend"
Effects and Precautions: American research has found that eating about 50 grams of pumpkin seeds daily can be quite effective in preventing prostate diseases and prostate cancer. Pumpkin seeds are rich in pantothenic acid, which can relieve stable angina and has a blood pressure-lowering effect. However, it should be noted that eating too many at once should be avoided, as there have been reports of dizziness caused by excessive consumption of pumpkin seeds. It is most suitable for patients with high blood pressure; patients with stomach heat should eat less, otherwise they may feel bloated and stuffy in the upper abdomen.
8. Peanut – "The Little Nutrition Expert"
Effects and Precautions: Plays a very important role in adjusting the nutritional balance of people, especially children. Recent scientific discoveries have found that peanuts contain a large amount of arginine and resveratrol; the former has a potential anti-tuberculosis effect, and the latter can inhibit cancer cell invasion and metastasis, making them excellent dietary therapies for tuberculosis patients and tumor patients. However, the peanut skin has the effect of increasing platelet count and resisting fibrinolysis, so people with high viscosity syndrome should eat them without the skin. Peanuts have a low rate of digestion and absorption, and excessive consumption will increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, which needs attention.
9. Pine Nut – "The Longevity Fruit"
Effects and Precautions: Pine nuts contain protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Most of the fat they contain is beneficial essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid and linolenic acid. They are also rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other nutrients. Regular consumption can nourish and strengthen the body. They should not be eaten if they have been stored for a long time and have a rancid taste. People with poor gallbladder function should be cautious when eating them.
10. Cashew – "The Little Peanut"
Effects and Precautions: The protein in cashews is twice that of common grain crops, and the types of amino acids in cashews are complementary to those in grains. Compared to other nuts, the content of unhealthy saturated fatty acids in cashews is slightly higher, accounting for about 20%. Therefore, eating too many should be avoided. In addition, cashews contain multiple allergens, which may cause allergic reactions in people with allergies. Therefore, people who are eating cashews for the first time should not eat too many; they can eat one or two first, wait for ten minutes, and if no allergic reaction occurs, then continue eating.