Chestnut - autumn forest treasure

 Author: patrisha -14. October, 2018

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Many have chestnuts only for a delicious fruit of nature, found everywhere in the forests. However, few people know that chestnuts also have many positive effects on our health. It improves bowel health, strengthens the immune system and bones, lowers blood pressure, protects against cardiovascular diseases, improves cognitive ability, prevents chronic illness, and can also be used by diabetics.

Chest for health

Consuming chestnuts is highly recommended

Although chestnut at first glance does not seem to be anything special, it must still hide something special in it, given that we have been enjoying it for millennia. Chestnut is the fruit of the tree of the same name, found in the forests of the northern hemisphere. Although there are different types of chestnuts, most of them have similar properties and nutrients. But we must not confuse it with wild chestnuts, which is used mostly for medical purposes only.

Although it is possible to use different parts of the tree, the fruit of the chestnut is certainly best known. The most popular is undoubtedly roasted chestnuts, but there are many more to prepare from chestnuts. We can cook it, make chestnut puree, cook it, grind it or grind it in chestnut flour, which is excellent in bread baking. In its unique taste, it enjoys everywhere in the world, especially praised for its important nutritional value. Chestnut contains a high proportion of fibers, minerals, positive fats, vitamins, antioxidants and other important nutrients, which places it among healthy foods. Allergies to tree nuts should otherwise be avoided, while for others chestnut consumption is highly recommended.

How to store chestnuts?

The main season of chestnut usually begins in October. Since chestnut contains less fat than other nuts, it takes a little more caution when storing it, as it is quite quickly broken. It is best to keep it in the refrigerator and use it within a few weeks.

 

Positive chestnut qualities 

Less caloric value: Compared to other chestnut nuts, it contains less calories (only 180 kcal per 100 g) and fats, but it is also rich in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, which are essential for our health.

Gluten-free food: Chestnut does not contain gluten, so it is an excellent food in gluten-free and wheat-free diet.

Prevention and management of diabetes: Many people are unaware that dietary fiber plays a very important role in preventing and controlling diabetes. High-fiber foods, including chestnuts (8.1 grams of fiber per 100 g), are considered to be foods with a low glycemic index, which means they slowly raise the level of blood sugar. This helps prevent bumps and drops of sugar, which is particularly dangerous for diabetic patients.

Health of the immune system: High levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants classify chestnuts among good immune system stimulants. 100 g of chestnut contains 43 mg vitamin C, which covers 72% of daily needs. While cooking and baking, its value drops to 40%. Vitamin C does not only stimulate the production of white blood cells, but also acts as an antioxidant, therefore freeing radicals around the body and neutralizing them before they can damage the cells. It is therefore an excellent weapon in the fight against oxidative stress, which is the main culprit for most diseases of modern times.

Balancing the Bone Density: Copper and magnesium are not the first thing to think about when we talk about the health of our bones. However, copper is very important in the process of absorption of iron in the blood, which is crucial for bone health. Magnesium also increases the mineral density of the bones, and at the same time it also has many positive properties for our health. With the help of minerals found in chestnut, we can therefore prevent or slow down age-related diseases, such as osteoporosis.

Gut health: Chestnut is one of the nuts with the highest dietary fiber content. These are very important in the movement of sludge through the intestines as they promote peristalsis and thus prevent inflammation in the intestines. Fiber can also help to optimize the absorption of nutrients, which means greater utilization of food intake and more nutrients for the body.

Improving memory: Chest storage can also improve memory and brain function. Chestnut is a rich source of B-complex vitamins (niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2), thiamine (B1)), which are directly related to the correct neurological development and functioning. 100 g chestnuts provide 11% of daily needs for niacin, 100% of thiamine needs and 12% for riboflavin. Potassium, also found in chestnuts, stimulates the flow of blood into the brain and thus promotes the good health of the nervous system, thereby improving both concentration and memory.

Prevention of chronic diseases: Free radicals in the body damage the cells, leading to the occurrence of oxidative stress and the development of chronic diseases and cancer. With the help of antioxidants in chestnuts, we can help fight free radicals, so ingesting one chestnut chest daily is not a bad idea.

Blood pressure control: Only a few minerals are more important than potassium when lowering blood pressure. Potassium regulates the movement of water in the body, increases the flow of blood and reduces pressure on the narrowed vessels. This reduction in blood pressure can help improve overall heart health and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Heart health: Many feel that fat is bad for our health, but the fact is that our body needs a lot of fat to function normally. Chestnut is a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids that have proven to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good HDL, which helps to control whole blood cholesterol, reduces inflammatory processes in the body and the risk of atherosclerosis and the accumulation of blood clots. Accordingly, the risk of developing stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular disease is also lower.

 Conclusion: Due to many allergies, nutmeg allergies should pay attention to the introduction of new nuts into the diet. Therefore, consult a doctor before taking chestnut. If you are not allergic to nuts, then quickly into the forest after this delicious autumn treasure health.