It
wasn’t very long ago that nuts were feared. – They were
considered a dieting disaster, with far too high a fat
and calorie content to be anything but bad for you!
Recently though, extensive studies have shown that the
opposite is actually the case. – Nuts are incredible for
the human body. Recently there have been many health
discoveries showing that nuts are a wonderful protein
source that are great for everyone, and should be added
to our diets.
Yes – nuts contain a lot of fat, and they are relatively
loaded with calories considering that they are a plant
food. Our understanding of fat has changed, however, and
we now know that most of the fat in nuts is
polyunsaturated or monounsaturated. These fats aren’t
nearly as bad for you as others, aren’t as prone to
causing weight gain, and most important of all, actually
have the ability to lower your LDL cholesterol
levels. In fact, nuts have actually been shown to be
extremely good for your heart – modern studies have
concluded that a proper daily amount of nuts can lower
your chance for developing heart disease by as much as
35%. - Astounding news for a food that was once feared
for it’s possible weight gain and destructive
cardiovascular effects.
Nuts are an incredible source of protein. – Protein is
very important for our bodies, but unfortunately in a
lot of places that it’s commonly found (Such as red
meats), getting our recommended protein amounts can have
negative side effects on our hearts. This makes nuts
wonderful, because you can get a lot of protein from
them without worrying about hurting your precious heart.
They are especially great for vegetarian diets, as
vegetarians can have a hard time meeting the recommended
amount of protein their bodies need.
Nuts are terrific sources of energy. Protein is an
important ingredient for energy, and when combined with
the other minerals in nuts make them perfect for
providing longer, more constant energy levels. In
addition to proteins, nuts also happen to rich in the
powerful antioxidants selenium and vitamin E.
Anti-oxidants have recently been identified as having
powerful anti-aging effects on the body due to their
ability to block the damage caused by free-radicals,
substances that contribute to early aging.
On studies involving nuts in daily diet, results showed
that nearly all forms of nuts had similar effects,
though the most beneficial nuts today are generally
considered to be peanuts, almonds, and cashews. These
studies also suggest that a good daily dosage of nuts be
between 1 to 2 ounces to see receive the best benefit.
While they are very healthy, nuts can be a rather
addicting snack, and combined with their elevated levels
of calories can cause weight gain if you don’t exercise
a little discipline with your snacking. Fortunately,
nuts also satisfy hunger very well.
Overall, nuts are a powerful food that is packed with
surprising and astounding benefits. Their ability to
reduce the risk of heart disease while protecting
against aging and providing solid energy levels makes
them a highly desired health food, as long as a person
keeps their intake levels low. They are still loaded
with calories, and can contribute to weight gain if high
levels are consumed on a regular basis. If you keep your
intake down, however, you’ll notice remarkable
improvements in your health, and you can rest easier at
night knowing that you are helping your heart and
bettering your chances at escaping cardiovascular
disease.