Nutrition in a nutshell

It’s brown, brain-shaped and makes a great topping for salads. It tastes good with dried fruits or light desserts like pudding or mouhallabieh and is very nutritious.

But before you let your imagination take over, what we’re referring to is the walnut. Read on to discover the many reasons why the walnut is a healthy addition to your diet:

Walnuts, a major source of healthy fats!

• Walnuts contain a high amount of healthy oils varying between 62.3 and 66.5%. They contain 18 types of unsaturated fatty acids, including essential linoleic acid which has big benefits for the body and brain, especially the brain development of little ones. Essential fats were also found to help improve cognitive function in the elderly, elevate the mood and promote healthy skin!
• Everyone has heard about omega-3 fatty acids. They are mainly found in fatty fish such as salmons. But walnuts are also a rich source. Studies have shown that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may help lower triglycerides, reduce high-blood pressure and increase HDL cholesterol as well as help prevent blood from clotting. These heart-protective properties of walnuts are the reason why they are perfect for a healthy, crunchy snack!

Good to know

8 to 10 halves of walnuts a day can significantly contribute to improving the health of heart patients! So go ahead and eat up!

Walnuts are full of antioxidants and vitamin E!

Walnuts contain anti-oxidants that play an essential role in protecting cells from external harmful conditions. This is why studies have linked it to protection against certain types of cancer. Vitamin E in walnuts also acts as an antioxidant and is found to improve the body’s immune system as well as help promote healthy skin.

In a nutshell, it is a good idea to add walnuts to your daily balanced diet. But you need to remember that walnuts are high in calories and should be eaten in moderation. In fact, ¼ cup or 12 halves contain about 164 calories, so try and have just a few every day to enjoy all its benefits!