Walnuts Ranking Number One for Health

Scientists from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania reveal in research has the highest level of antioxidants, which is almost twice as much as other nuts like hazel nuts, cashews and pecans. Researcher Dr. Joe Vinson, PhD had presented the findings at the Sunday, at the American Chemical Society annual meeting.

Researchers do note that all nuts do contain good nutritional values but walnuts rank the healthiest nut of them all.

Walnuts contain immense amounts of antioxidant polyphenols. These compounds fasten to those free radicals (which damage our bodies cells and cause disease) to stabilize them which stops them from doing damage to cells.

The antioxidants found in walnuts were higher in quality and stronger than in any other nuts.

The antioxidants found in these nuts were two to fifteen times stronger than vitamin E, which guards the body against damaging natural chemicals which are involved in causing disease.

Nuts are not only healthy, nutritious, have high quality protein and loaded with vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber but also they are dairy and gluten free.

According to Dr. Vinson, just a handful of walnuts contain nearly twice the amount of antioxidants equal amount to any other nuts normally consumed. The study suggests people should consume more walnuts as part of a healthy diet.

Researchers found that the strength of antioxidants contained in walnuts was higher than any other nuts that were examined in the study.

Previous research has associated regular consumption of small amounts of nuts or peanut butter with a decreased risk for heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes and gallstones.

Just one ounce of walnuts contain more antioxidants than the total of what the average person receives from fruits and vegetables. Researchers not they are not suggesting to replace fruit and vegetables in the diet, just to add the walnuts to one's diet.

Many persons do not consume walnuts do to the fear factor of weight gain. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one ounce of English walnuts has 185 calories. However, that ounce does contain four grams of protein, almost two grams of fiber and more than 18 grams of fat but which most is heart healthy fat.

Dr. Vinson states that past studies have demonstrated that people who add in just a handful of nuts or so into their daily diet either maintain or lose weight. There is also new evidence coming to light that nuts can also aide brain health.

Dr. Vinson encourages nuts as a snack. One reason is nuts are not empty calories they will make you feel full. Which aides you that when you consume your next meal you more than likely will not overeat.

Among the nuts which were examined Brazil nuts came in next for antioxidant content. Peanuts fell short of walnuts.

Dr. David Katz, M.D., MPH, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center, states that the study reveals something important about walnuts. Antioxidants are vital nutrients and technically a food reach in antioxidants to provide health benefits. Studies have shown (some conducted by Dr. Katz) that walnuts improve cardiac risk factors and improve blood flow.

Sources:

BBC

MSNBC

WebMD