Introduction: As winter arrives, the vitality of life begins to wane from a state of abundance to decline, and from activity to stillness. A variety of nuts, however, start to "vie for beauty and splendor," becoming our excellent companions for getting through the winter.
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Indeed, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) posits that most nuts have a warm nature. Eating them in large quantities during other seasons can easily lead to "internal heat," but in the cold winter, they are a "timely help" like sending charcoal in snowy weather. Furthermore, most nuts can tonify the Kidneys, which corresponds to the "Kidney," the organ associated with winter in TCM. Consuming nuts in moderation can be considered a key to winter wellness.
Almonds: They are rich in minerals such as zinc, magnesium, potassium, and iron, with their calcium content being the highest among all nuts. Their amino acid profile is also very complete. From a medicinal perspective, almond is a common ancient Chinese herb used for relieving coughs, reducing phlegm, moistening the intestines, and promoting bowel movements. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" lists its three major benefits as "moistening the lungs, eliminating indigestion, and dispersing stagnant qi," and it is beneficial to the five vital organs. Regular consumption can also improve complexion and longevity, lower cholesterol, and protect the cardiovascular system. Almonds are suitable for everyone, with an ideal daily intake of about 20 grams, but it is best to avoid them if you have diarrhea.
Walnuts: They are rich in protein, fat, minerals, and nutrients such as B vitamins and vitamin E. They help prevent cellular aging, enhance brain function, improve memory, and delay aging. In TCM, walnut kernels are considered sweet and warm in nature, with the effects of "blackening hair, securing essence, treating dryness, and regulating blood." Eating about 20 grams of walnuts daily can tonify the kidneys and secure essence, moisten the lungs to stop coughs, resolve phlegm and relieve asthma, and regulate qi and blood. They are a good choice whether eaten raw, roasted, or used in pastries and candies, but be careful not to remove the brown, thin skin on their surface when eating them.
Chestnuts: Chestnuts are known as the "king of dry fruits" and are a "tasty and affordable" nourishing medicinal food. Unlike other nuts, their carbohydrate content is 3-4 times higher, while their protein and fat content are relatively lower. They are also rich in various vitamins such as carotene, riboflavin, and vitamin C. Chestnuts are sweet and warm in nature, with the effects of tonifying the kidneys and strengthening the waist, strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, invigorating blood to stop bleeding. They are suitable for symptoms such as kidney deficiency, sore and weak knees and lower back, pain in muscles and bones, hematuria, and bloody stools. However, one should not eat too many chestnuts at once; about 30 grams per day is appropriate, and people who are overweight or have high blood lipids should not eat them excessively.
Hazelnuts: Hazelnuts have unique health benefits. They are low in sodium but high in minerals, making them a good source of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium that the body needs. Eating about 30 grams daily has a positive effect on balancing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and promoting bone growth.
In TCM, hazelnuts are considered neutral in nature, sweet in taste, and enter the Spleen and Stomach meridians. They have the effects of regulating the middle jiao, stimulating the appetite, nourishing qi and blood, and improving eyesight. They are especially suitable for people with poor appetite, fatigue, emaciation, post-illness weakness, or blurred vision. For the elderly and children, regular consumption of hazelnuts also helps protect the nervous system.
Peanuts: Peanuts are very rich in protein; every 100 grams can provide more than half of the body's daily protein requirement, as well as rich dietary fiber, magnesium, iron, zinc, and other nutrients. The "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica" records that "peanuts please the spleen and harmonize the stomach, moisten the lungs to resolve phlegm, nourish and replenish qi, clear the throat and stop itching." Regular consumption has the effects of nourishing blood, tonifying the spleen and moistening the lungs, and moisturizing the skin, and is also beneficial for the cardiovascular system. It should be noted that peanuts are best eaten with their skins (the red skin) to enhance the blood-nourishing and blood-stopping effects. The appropriate amount per serving is about 20-30 grams. People with bruises from falls, poor digestive function, a history of gallbladder removal, or severe gallbladder disease should not eat them in excess.