Walnuts are oil seeds rich in vitamin E, useful against cholesterol, stress and atherosclerosis. What are the properties and benefits? How many calories do walnuts contain and what are the contraindications?
Le nights they fall into the category of nuts: rich in mineral salts, they are perfect for those who practice sports. Very useful like source of zinc, calcium and magnesium, are also excellent allies in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and stress. Let's find out better.
- Main nutrients of walnuts
- The property
- Walnuts in the kitchen
The main nutrients of walnuts
The nuts are very energetic fruits, for 100 grams of product they provide the body with about 600 calories.
Like all oilseeds they are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and mineral salts, such as zinc, football, potassium, copper e iron.
In particular, they are rich in magnesium and therefore fall within the natural dietary supplements of this mineral. Walnuts also have a consistent supply of vitamin E and that of folic acid.
Property
The omega 3 acids contained in walnuts help to keep the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood under control, to prevent arteriosclerosis and, it would seem, also to fight stress.
Vitamin E makes small nuts pearls of youth which, by fighting the action of free radicals, are gods excellent antioxidants.
However, the most characteristic property of walnuts is that given byarginine, an amino acid that makes them perfect for those who practice sports: walnuts are in fact a very energetic food (therefore excellent for recharging in a healthy and light way) and dilate the blood vessels which, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, improve physical performance.
According to theory of signatures of Paracelso, the walnuts are good for the brain. This property would be underlined by the appearance of the walnut kernel that evokes the structure of the cerebral cortex: this correspondence would define, according to the theory of signatures, a natural link between these two elements.
Il wot has always been, in the popular imagination, a tree related to witches and evil spirits.
In fact, during the Middle Ages it was believed that the sabbaths (the nocturnal encounters between witches and the Devil) took place right under a walnut tree, for this reason this plant has remained inextricably linked over time to superstitions and fantastic stories: in many fairy tales, all inside of walnuts, marvelous treasures are hidden and once, in Sicily, it was believed that a walnut in your pocket would protect you from spells and fever.
There are numerous types of nuts, discover the most common varieties in the country
Walnuts in the kitchen
Le nights available on the market can be of different qualities, the most common being Sorrento and California.
Choose the freshest, untreated nuts can be easy thanks to some suggestions:
- Those are to be preferred free of injuries on the shell e with the petiole and leaves still attached.
- The indication of quality is the black spots that some nuts report on the shell. These are hull juice stains and indicate that the nuts have not been chemically bleached.
The nuts are widely used in the kitchen: for desserts, sauces and baked goods it is widely used and among the best known combinations there is certainly the one with gorgonzola.
An excellent liqueur is also prepared with walnuts: the nocino in fact.
Behind this preparation there are tradition and folklore, but also a pinch of magic ...
The legend tells that the walnuts for the nocino are harvested at night still soaked in dew, during the summer solstice and more precisely the 24nd June, St. John's Day.
This date was considered a special passage of the Earth that gave the fruits esoteric properties and was expected precisely this night for picking herbs and plants destined for magical operations. Nocino, as a drink rich in precious nutrients, was prepared as energy reserve to keep for times of need: almost a magic potion we could say!
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Other articles on nuts:
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Almonds and walnuts: properties and benefits
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Walnuts among dried fruit
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Walnut flour, recipes and where to buy it
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The calendar of dried fruit
