Chinese households typically keep snacks like melon seeds, peanuts, and pistachios on hand. These delicious treats are indispensable for entertaining guests or for family enjoyment, especially during the Spring Festival. However, in past years, some people have had to go to the hospital after the holiday because of consuming these tasty snacks inappropriately. Let's take a look at the top ten daily delicious nuts and their consumption taboos.
1. Chestnuts
Chestnuts are beneficial for assisting in the treatment of kidney deficiency, hence they are also known as the "fruit of the kidney."
Effects and Taboos: 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 is 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 maintain body weight. Fresh chestnuts are prone to mold and spoilage; eating moldy chestnuts can cause poisoning, so spoiled chestnuts must not be eaten.
2. Walnuts
Walnuts are堪称 the "king" of antioxidants.
Effects and Taboos: 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. Do not eat too many at once, as it can affect digestion. Some people like to peel off the thin brown skin on the walnut surface, which will cause a loss of some nutrients, so do not remove this layer of skin.
3. Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are also a standout among melon seeds and are quite nutritious.
Effects and Taboos: Eating a handful of sunflower seeds daily can meet the human body's daily vitamin E requirement. The protein in sunflower seeds can be compared to that of various meats, especially as it 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 maintaining 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. Pistachios
They can be called a friend of the heart. They mainly contain monounsaturated fatty acids, so pistachios are not as prone to rancidity as other nuts and can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Effects and Taboos: Eating 10 pistachios at once 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 Almonds
They contain 50% fat, 25% protein, 10% carbohydrates, and elements such as vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, boron, and potassium.
Effects and Taboos: For patients with coronary heart disease who regularly eat almonds, the incidence 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 therapy foods for impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. The boron and calcium in almonds are also beneficial for preventing osteoporosis in menopausal women.
6. Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are nutritious and contain all eight essential amino acids required by the human body, with a content far exceeding that of walnuts.
Effects and Taboos: The calcium, phosphorus, and iron content in hazelnuts are 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 flavor, and have the effects of replenishing qi, strengthening the spleen, stopping diarrhea, improving eyesight, and expelling parasites.
7. Pumpkin Seeds
They have the effect of killing parasites and treating prostate diseases.
Effects and Taboos: American research has found that eating about 50 grams of pumpkin seeds daily can effectively prevent 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 can be harmful; there have been reports of dizziness caused by excessive consumption of pumpkin seeds. They are most suitable for people with high blood pressure. Patients with stomach heat should eat them in moderation, otherwise they may feel bloated and uncomfortable in the upper abdomen.
8. Peanuts
Peanuts are rich in high-quality protein, fat, and various trace nutrients.
Effects and Taboos: They play 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 the infiltration and spread of cancer cells, making them excellent dietary therapy products for tuberculosis patients and tumor patients. However, the peanut skin can increase platelet count and have an anti-fibrinolytic effect, so people with high blood viscosity should eat them without the skin. The digestion and absorption rate of peanuts is relatively low, and excessive consumption can burden the gastrointestinal tract, which needs attention.
9. Pine Nuts
They are hailed as the "longevity fruit."
Effects and Taboos: 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, and iron, and regular consumption can nourish and strengthen the body. Pine nuts that have been stored for a long time will develop a rancid taste and should not be eaten. People with poor gallbladder function should be cautious when eating them.
10. Cashews
The fat content in cashews accounts for 47%, and protein is 22%.
Effects and Taboos: Compared to other nuts, cashews have a slightly higher content of unhealthy saturated fatty acids, accounting for about 20%. Therefore, one should avoid eating too many. In addition, cashews contain multiple allergens, which may cause allergic reactions in people with allergies. Therefore, for people trying cashews for the first time, it is best not to eat too many. You can eat one or two and then stop for ten minutes. If no allergic reaction occurs, you can continue eating.