Walnuts - a super food!

Walnuts can be labelled as the "King among nuts" in general considering it's wonderful benefits, healthwise. It forms an important constituent of “Mediterranean diet” which is considered very healthy especially for the prevention of Heart disease.

The shelf life of Walnut is prolonged when it is kept with it's hardshell intact. Once the shell is removed shelf life becomes less and it becomes rancid quickly. Walnuts are available in the market with shells intact and with shells removed.
The Persian variety is commonly available. After cracking the hard shell open it is better to clean nuts with pure water before using it in salads etc. Soaking the nuts for sometime in pure water makes it soft and wonderful to chew. Preferably eat it raw. It is recommended that we all must eat a handful of nuts everyday.

Why is it said that Walnuts are beneficial for our health?

• Walnuts are rich in good fats. They contain Omega-3 fatty acids which help in lowering bad cholesterol thereby preventing heart disease.

• Walnuts contain fiber and many antioxidants.

• Some studies showed that Walnuts may delay the onset or lower the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s Disease affects the brain producing memory disturbances.

• An important study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that adding Walnuts with a high "bad fat" meals decreased the oxidation and inflammation in the arterial blood vessels. Eating "bad fat" meals can result in hardening of the arteries. Arginine - an amino acid found in walnuts is used by the body to produce Nitric Oxide to keep the blood vessels elastic. This study pointed that it is not only Olive oil that makes Mediterranean diet healthy but Walnuts also play an important role.

More info: Journal of American College of Cardiology, October 17, 2006