Walnuts benefits include that they contain high levels of L-arginine, an essential amino acid that is converted into nitric oxide once inside the body.
Nitric oxide plays a vital role in the prevention of hypertension by smoothing and relaxing the inner walls of the blood vessels.
If hypertension runs in your family, the benefits of walnuts are one way to provide your blood vessels with the nitric oxide they need.
A walnut may be just a nut, but it's a nut worth cracking, because of its anti-aging benefits.
Surely, that made you want to read more, so here it goes.
Benefits of walnuts include that it is considered as one of the top 10 anti-aging foods because of its high Melatonin content.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in our brain that induces and regulates sleep.
Aside from that, it is also a powerful antioxidant, which helps our body resist oxidative stress caused by the free radicals.
It is a known fact that free radicals are responsible for the premature aging of our skin, as well as one of the contributing factors to the many degenerative diseases of the body.
Individuals who are approaching their 40s would do well to benefit from walnuts.
This is because as we reach our 40s, our melatonin production starts to decline, and this decrease in sleep hormone and antioxidant protection may lead to sleeping pattern disturbances and development of free radical damage in the years to come.
Another thing that makes walnuts worth the cracking is the fact that they are bursting with polyphenolic compounds like Ellagic acid and Gallic acid.
These two phytochemicals are known to provide the body with an extra line of defense against bacterial and viral attacks by boosting our immune system.
Research studies also show that Ellagic and Gallic acid possess several anticancer properties, as well as prevent the oxidation of LDL by free radicals.
Free radical oxidation of LDL is also a contributing factor to the formation of atherosclerosis.
In addition, benefits of walnuts include that they are packed with manganese and copper, which are potent antioxidants as well.
Women in general get the healthful effects of walnut benefits, especially those who are fertile, overweight, and at the age of 40 (or approaching it).
These are the women who are most likely to develop gall bladder stones.
According to the Nurses' Health Study, women who eat at least 1 ounce of nuts (particularly walnuts) showed lower risks of developing gallstones.
Walnut benefits include that they are also high in protein and mineral content.
And what makes it even more worth cracking is the fact that it can actually lower your risk of gaining unwanted pounds of flab.
The resveratrol content of the walnut is the key to its weight loss benefits.
Scientists discovered that resveratrol, a phytochemical found in walnuts and grapes, activates the SIRT1 gene, which in turn increases our body's metabolic rate, thereby causing us to burn more calories.
Scientific studies have shown that individuals who eat walnuts at least twice a week are less likely to gain weight than those who never ate at all.
All of these health benefits will surely make you go nuts for walnuts.
It not only provides the essential nutrients that help promote a sound mind and body, but it also promotes longevity.
All of these make a walnut benefits worth a crack! However, there is one drawback.
Walnuts are not advisable to individuals with known allergic reactions towards it or for any nuts in the matter.
The allergic reaction to nuts is the result of our immune system's misinterpretation of the nut proteins as a foreign body.
You can, however use flax seed instead of walnut, as it offers the same benefits.