Food & Fitness Friday: Hazelnuts
This Friday we’re talking about one of my favorite snacks— hazelnuts!
Hazelnuts are not only a delicious snack, but they provide a range of nutritional benefits, including a high content of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals. Including a handful of hazelnuts in your diet may help to improve the health of your heart by lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation and managing your cholesterol levels.
Hazelnuts are good eaten raw, but are more flavorful and sweet when roasted. Because of their high fat content, hazelnuts should be stored in the fridge.
Hazelnuts are a healthy snack because they don't contain cholesterol or sodium and are low in natural sugar. A handful of hazelnuts, or 10 nuts, contains 88 calories and 2.3 grams of carbohydrates.
The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in hazelnuts are important components of cell membranes and are involved in the regulation of inflammation and prevention of hypertension. A major type of monounsaturated fat in hazelnuts is oleic acid. Oleic acid has beneficial effects on your health and may have a positive role in reducing cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
The insoluble type of fiber in hazelnuts has many health benefits beyond the health of your digestive system. Fiber can help you maintain a healthy weight by making you feel fuller so you eat less. In addition, fiber may lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.
Another health benefit of nuts, including hazelnuts, is their rich source of vitamin E.
Manganese is a star mineral in hazelnuts. Manganese is known to have antioxidant functions and is responsible for normal metabolism of amino acids, fats and carbohydrates.
The majority of the antioxidants present in hazelnuts are concentrated in the skin. Antioxidants are principal players in protecting your body from oxidative stress which is linked to aging and chronic disease. The most abundant antioxidants in hazelnuts are phenolic compounds.
I hope y’all have the best weekend!