Mompreneur Musings: The Quest For Balance

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We have heard that nuts are nutritious, but do you really know why? The following is some helpful information from the North Carolina Research Campus*:

Almonds – The highest nut source of vitamin E which can help protect the heart, slow aging, and improve immunity.

Brazil Nuts – The highest nut source of selenium, an essential mineral that supports thyroid health and immunity. The article warns not to eat more than four Brazil nuts per day. I poked around on the internet and it seems that too much selenium can be toxic. I’m not a doctor, so if you love Brazil nuts, do some more research on this one.

Cashews – The highest nut source for zinc, an essential mineral needed to support vision and immunity.

Macadamia Nuts – Research has shown that a handful of these delicious nuts each day can help to reduce total cholesterol by 9%. So maybe the extra saturated fat in these nuts is worth it!

Peanuts – Are not truly a nut, they are a legume. But since most of us consider them a nut, they’re included in this list. The primary benefits of peanuts is that they are high in protein and also contain the antioxidant, reservatrol, which is also in red wine.

Pecans – The highest nut source in antioxidants that help to neutralize free radicals that can increase aging and damage DNA.

Pine Nuts – The nut with the highest source of manganese, an essential mineral for bone health and the healing of wounds.

Pistachios – The highest nut source is potassium, an essential mineral that helps to maintain healthy blood pressure and fluid and electrolyte balance. Pistachios are also high in phytosterols which is a plant source that inhibits cholesterol absorption.

Walnuts – The highest nut source of omega-3 fatty acids which can help keep your skin moist among other benefits (see Zoe Foods for more information on omega-3s). Walnuts also contain a unique form of vitamin E that may help suppress lung and prostate cancer cell division.

* The North Carolina Research Campus is a group made up from eight universities who work together for the benefit of health and longevity. These include Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, NC State University, UNC Charlotte, North Carolina Central University, NC A&T State University, UNC Greensboro and Appalachian State University

Source: The “Nut” in Nutritious by David H. Murdock on the Huffington Post. David H. Murdock is Chairman and owner of Dole Food Company, Inc.