Being high in healthy fats, protein & fibre, mixed nuts have healthy benefits when part of a balanced diet. In moderation nuts provide a variety of health benefits including reducing risk of heart disease by 30-50%.
Mixed Nuts Health Benefits – According to the Australian Dietary Guidelines, nuts and seeds are:
A nut is a simple dry fruit with one or two seeds in which the ovary wall becomes very hard (stony or woody) at maturity, and where the seed remains attached or fused with the ovary wall….Examples include almonds, pecans, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts and pistachio nuts.
The term ‘nut’ is applied to many seeds that are not botanically true nuts. These may include cape seed, caraway, chia, flaxseed, linseed, passionfruit, poppy seed, pepita or pumpkin seed, sesame seed and sunflower seed.
In moderation nuts provide a variety a of health benefits:
Antioxidants – Mixed nuts contain high level of antioxidants which can help to control the level of free radicals in our body. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced from metabolism, a high level of free radicals can cause cell damage, and hence, increase risk of disease.
Weight Control – Although mixed nuts are rich in fat and energy, they were found to be helpful with weight control since only a portion of fat in the nuts is absorbed, the rest is trapped inside the nuts’ fibrous wall and won’t be taken in by our body during digestion.
Control Cholesterol Level – The unsaturated fatty acids in nut were found to be helpful in lowering the cholesterol level in human body
Digestive Health – Nuts are rich in fibre, which is a crucial nutrient for preventing constipation. Fibre is also a type of prebiotic that induce the growth of beneficial microorganisms inside our gastrointestinal tract, ensuring optimal digestive health.
Reduces heart disease Risk – according to research, eating mixed nuts most days can reduce risk of heart disease by 30-50%. Refer to Mixed Nut Health Facts below for further information
For further information:
Source: Nuts for Life
Title: Mixed Nut Health Facts
Read Time: 2 minutes
Source: Nutrition Australia
Title: Nuts & Health
Read Time: 2 minutes