Nuts are a part of our culinary culture for centuries. Almonds, walnuts, pistachio nuts, peanuts and coconuts are essential ingredients of many exotic dishes. They can be used as decoration in desserts, and in sweets. Nuts like Almonds and coconuts add flavour and thickness to Qorma. Adding toasted almonds on several recipes before using them intensify their flavour and gives more colour and crunch.
Whole or chopped peanuts (peanut is not a true nut because they have to be dug out of the soil to be harvested) are popular in Asian cuisine. Peanuts oil consumed widely in cooking and for making margarine and made into peanut butter.
The nuts themselves are eaten salted and roasted as snacks. Adding coconuts in dried form makes dishes such as zarda, koftay and chicken curries rich in flavour and colour. Grated coconut treated with hot water to yield coconut milk. This milk often used as an alternative of milk in the making of ice cream and custard. Kernel added in vegetables dishes to enhance flavour. Desiccated and grated khoppra combined with mint, green chilies, cumin seed and cloves of garlic to make delicious chutney.
Nuts are full of energy and ideal snack to fill your stomach for long time therefore help to control weight gain. The "good" fats in nuts gratify hunger, so a handful of nuts a couple of times a day help to manage healthy diet. The fiber and pectin in apples has much the same effect, dieticians recommend that morning snack of nuts and an afternoon snack of an apple can go a long way toward satisfying "the munchies" that most of us get between meals. The nuts increase both the density and the protein content of any cereal, making the satisfying feeling of fullness last a lot longer.
Crunchy, crispy and crusty nuts are full of nutrients, rich in fibers, and high in good fats. Adding nuts to your diet ensure healthy lifestyle. It is a misconception that nuts are high in calories and fats. New research has proved that, if taken regularly, in moderate quantity, these nuts enhance mental and physical health. Eating almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts controls the cholesterol level.
People who eat nuts as part of a heart-healthy diet can lower the LDL, low-density lipoprotein or "bad," cholesterol level in their blood. High LDL is one of the primary causes of heart disease. Nuts also reduce the chances of clotting of blood and reduce risk of heart failure. For example Almonds and walnuts have unsaturated fats which are good for heart health and considered as heart-healthy nuts.
Nuts contain plenty of high-quality protein that can substitute for meat; vitamins and minerals; dietary fiber. Fibers also have its role to play in preventing diabetes. Nuts are nature's treasure of Omega3acids, which are good for controlling heartbeat, better mental function, anti-inflammatory benefits in asthma and for good immune system. Fiber content of nuts helps control weight gain and makes you feel full, so you eat less.
Nuts are rich source of vitamin E, which helps stop the development of plaques in your arteries, which can narrow them. Nutritionists believe that "Nuts are also a source of l-arginine, which is a substance that may help improve the health of your artery walls by making them more flexible and less prone to blood clots that can block blood flow."
Nuts, such as cashew nuts, are good sources of minerals. Cashew nuts are noteworthy sources of iron (essential for red blood cell function and enzyme activity), magnesium (promotes energy release and bone growth), phosphorus (builds bones and teeth) and zinc (essential to digestion and metabolism).
Selenium is an important trace mineral, which is important to ensure good health. It is essential for normal functioning of the immune system and thyroid gland. Cashews and walnuts are good sources of selenium. However, at the same time cashews are high in fats therefore should consumed in limited quantity. Eighteen medium cashews count as one serving (30 grams). Dieticians forbid eating more than three servings per week, unless you need to gain weight.
Plant sterols, a compound works to lower total cholesterol levels in body's digestive tract, found abundantly in Nuts. Peanuts are one of the best sources of natural sterols.
Eating nuts ensure glowing skin and fair complexion. For example, not just as food but almond is herbal beautician's first choice for beautiful, wrinkle free, smooth skin, and hair care. Massaging skin with almond oil gives it soft and supple appearance. Soak almonds overnight peel their outer skins, grind soaked almonds and mix them with milk or rosewater. The mixture is an ideal scrub to get glowing and soft skin. A beautician recommends almond oil for removing facial fine lines, wrinkles and flakes.
There are two sorts of almonds, the bitter almond and the sweet almond. Bitter almonds are used to make almond oil. For natural hair care, use almond oil as a deep conditioner. Rub it directly into the scalp for natural hair care. Leave it on the hair for about 20 minutes then wash. This can really help your hair look shiny, silky and healthy. It can prevent breakage and split ends.
Winter season brings with it salted and roasted tasteful peanuts. Few people are aware of antidepressant property of peanuts. An important nutrient of peanut is tryptophan, which helps to produce serotonin (mood regulator) in brain. Peanuts are also known as brain food. This is due to their vitamin B3 or niacin content whose many health benefits include normal brain functioning and boosting memory power.
A study shows that those who have an intake of the most niacin-rich foods like peanuts were 70% less likely to have developed Alzheimer's disease. One fourth cup of peanuts can supply the body with sufficient amount of manganese, a mineral that plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, and blood sugar regulation.
Some dieticians regard walnuts as "the king of nuts" and rank its health benefits above the almonds, peanuts and other nuts. Usually vitamin E is known for its antioxidant property but walnuts are 15 times more effective for protecting the body against many diseases. Walnut contain an antioxidant compound that helps supports the immune system and contain several anticancer properties. It is good for muscle building and digestive system. Walnuts can contribute to the control or prevention of hypertension.
Coconuts have a long history of preventing chronic illnesses and considered as a secret of long and healthy life. Modern medical science also admits the usefulness of coconuts. Research conducted by the Universities of Kerala, Nigeria and Norway found coconut's flesh, oil and water useful for the treatment of HIV, cancer, diabetes and digestive illnesses. The centre of the unripe coconut contains sweet and nutritious water. This naturally filtered juice is a source of refreshment during hot summer days. An excellent source of minerals and vitamins, coconut reduces acidity of the stomach. During World War II, doctors used coconut water to overcome shortage of intravenous (IV) solution.
Pistachio nuts, eaten as part of a healthy diet, can increase the levels of antioxidants in the blood of adults with high cholesterol; eating pistachios may reduce your body's response to the stresses of everyday life. One study by Penn State University evaluated the influence of pistachio intake on blood pressure in response to stress. Patients who ate pistachios had a lower blood pressure response. Controlling or reducing both blood cholesterol and blood pressure are key factors in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have determined that no weight change was detected when pistachios were consumed in moderation. A serving of pistachios is about 49 nuts, providing 170 calories. From improved cardiovascular health to maintaining vision, pistachios contain a variety of nutrients and associated benefits not always found in other nuts.
Nuts are good for health keep them in a cool, dark place and use as soon as possible.