Nuts, in general, are amongst the healthiest snacks around. Besides being nutritious, eating the hazelnut benefits your health too.
These versatile nuts can be used in a variety of ways. They can be consumed raw, in a paste, or roasted, and as an ingredient in a myriad of healthy recipes. No matter your preference, the bottom line is that there are a number of ways you can enjoy the hazelnut benefits from the goodness of this tiny nut!
Hazelnuts are great at combating heart disease as they contain a number of vitamins and minerals that actively work towards promoting heart health. They contain both fiber and monounsaturated fatty acids. These work towards increasing the body’s HDL (good) cholesterol, while actively helping reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Various studies have also indicated that besides lowering bad and increasing good cholesterol, the hazelnut benefits other heart-disease related health issues as well. They help reduce inflammation, improve blood lipids, and are a wonderful source of magnesium. Magnesium is significant in regulating the balance of one’s potassium and calcium, which is important for blood pressure.
The vitamins and minerals in hazelnuts are antioxidants that fight free radicals. In so doing, they help with the prevention of certain illnesses beyond heart disease – such as cancer.
The vitamin E in hazelnuts helps with anti-aging efforts and fights inflammation. It is also a source of manganese. Manganese contributes towards the formation of certain enzymes that are also antioxidants.
Additionally, hazelnuts have high proanthocyanidins (PACs) content. According to studies, PACs show a higher antioxidant level than most other vitamins. They also combat aging and fight disease.
The high numbers of antioxidants in hazelnuts make it a great cancer-fighting food. Vitamin E decreases the risk of breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancer.
Studies have confirmed manganese’s ability to fight tumors as it targets the mitochondria in cells. Thiamine has also shown promise concerning cancer, according to research, as it exhibits certain anticancer properties. Further research needs to be conducted before a definite comment can be made on it as yet.
Diabetics need to use monounsaturated fats instead of saturated fats or trans fats. Hazelnuts thus make a great substitute, as they are a source of monounsaturated fats with all the benefits involved. One of these hazelnut benefits is no additional weight gain.
One of the hazelnut benefits associated with the brain is its boosting power. The vitamin E, thiamine, fatty acids, folate, and manganese in hazelnuts help improve both cognitive and general brain function.
Magnesium plays a role in the brain’s cognitive functioning as well, while thiamine has a role in the functioning of the nervous system. A healthy nervous system is important for the correct functioning of the brain.
The high vitamin E levels found in hazelnuts play a minor role in preventing cognitive decline and thus help prevent diseases such as dementia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.
A recent study showed these nuts also exhibit neuroprotective qualities. These hazelnut benefits include: improvement in memory, the promotion of healthy aging, and assistance with combating anxiety. These nuts are also a folate food. Folate slows degenerative orders of the brain in older people, while also playing a role during pregnancy in the development of the brain and spine.
The hazelnut benefits the body’s nervous system also. This main pathway used by the brain tells the different components what is needed to respond to stress effectively and in a timely fashion.
Hazelnuts stimulate the body’s metabolism. Those who consume larger quantities of the nut show a high level of weight loss due to a boost in the body’s metabolism. The presence of thiamine plays an important role in this. One of functions of thiamine is the converting of carbohydrates into glucose. It also aids in producing new red blood cells. This is important for maintaining energy levels.
The fiber, proteins, and fats in hazelnuts give one the sensation of fullness. This leaves you feeling satisfied for longer periods and thus combats overeating.
The vitamin E in hazelnuts helps maintain healthy hair and skin. It improves the moisture as well as elasticity. Its antioxidant properties all help prevent any damage due to UV rays. Vitamin E is also important in protecting against skin cancer. Additionally, it reduces inflammation, improves circulation, combats acne and wrinkles, treats scars, and helps with the regeneration of skin cells.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis forms part of the body’s neuroendocrine highway. The most important parts of this highway which specifically deals with stress, whether psychological or physiological in nature, are the two adrenal glands. Situated on top of our two kidneys, the adrenal glands secrete more than fifty hormones designed to help us deal with stress. If something happens, such as prolonged periods of stress, the adrenal glands are no longer able to work as they should.
Once the adrenal glands can no longer function optimally, the body’s NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response kicks into action. The adrenal fatigue component of the NEM stress response goes through four different stages. During the first two stages, the adrenal glands work harder at getting the job done, but during the latter two stages, the body starts using other avenues in order to produce the hormones needed to combat the ravages of stress. These include the liver and pancreas, amongst others.
These, together with the thyroid, ensure the body gets the fuel it needs as necessary. The thyroid regulates your metabolic speed, the pancreas produces insulin (important for regulating glucose which is our body’s fuel), and the liver clears the body of toxins.
You would not be aware of when the NEM stress response goes into action because it is an automatic response. The response to stress is initiated in the hypothalamus – which is situated in the brain. It sends out neurotransmitters, some of which fulfill the function of hormones. The brain, gut, and autonomic immune system work together to influence our mood, sleep patterns, and other similar functions.
When any of the components of the HPA axis are negatively affected due to an external or internal cause, the adrenal component of the NEM stress response goes into overdrive, the adrenal glands included. Once adrenal exhaustion sets in, however, the system crashes, with serious repercussions on your health. This includes anxiety, depression, heart-related problems, weight gain, and constant tiredness, to name just a few.
The wide range of vitamins and minerals, as well as the good fats found in hazelnuts, are all beneficial when it comes to adrenal support. They work together in a holistic fashion to aid the different parts of the HPA axis to function optimally. This can specifically be seen with regard to the functioning of the brain. The presence of vitamin E and thiamine, for example, help with cognitive functions while the different antioxidants work with the liver to rid the body of different toxins.
