Walnut is familiar to mankind for decades. It has long been used in medicine, cooking, attributed miraculous properties.
In its form, it resembles the human brain. It is natural, has a high nutritional value. It consists of many useful components that allow you to control weight and replenish the body's energy reserves.
Calorie and chemical composition
The caloric value of this healthy product is as follows:
| The number of nuts (chopped) | Calorie content |
|---|---|
| 1 tsp. | 45.92 kcal |
| 1 tbsp. l | 131.2 kcal |
| 200 ml (1 glass) | 590, 0 kcal |
| 250 ml (1 glass) | 787, 1 kcal |
In addition to high calorie, nuts include a large number of useful elements. These include the following vitamins and minerals:
- vitamin b1;
- vitamin b5;
- potassium;
- vitamin B9;
- iron;
- phosphorus;
- manganese;
- copper;
- magnesium;
- zinc;
- carotenoids.
There are 11.1 grams of simple and complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber in 100 grams of fruits. The amount of protein is 11.2 grams. Fats are the most abundant in nuts, their level is 65.2 grams.
An interesting fact is that in the unripe fruit contains more nutrients than in the mature. First of all it concerns vitamin C, which decreases in direct proportion to the time of its maturation.
The young fruit is saturated with numerous acids: oleic, linolenic, palmitic and not only. In the green nut there are substances that are detrimental to worms. Despite all the advantages, in an immature fetus in an excessively large amount of tannins are present.
Useful properties of walnut for men, women and children
The beneficial properties of the walnut were noted several hundred years ago. The fruit contains heart-healthy vitamin E, helps prevent type 2 diabetes, and prevents the development of cancer.
The benefit of the fetus is noted by both men and women. To maintain the required amount of vitamins and minerals in the body, women need to eat 30 grams of this product every day (14 halves or 7 whole nucleoli).
The benefits of the product for women are as follows:
- Fruits purify the blood and remove toxins;
- Daily nut consumption is essential for maintaining liver and heart function. They help prevent the development of heart attack and stroke;
- Fruits contain saturated fatty acids, flavonoids (they are food antioxidants, possess antimicrobial action) potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and not only;
- The nucleus helps to strengthen the female immune system, reduce stress and nervous tension, maintain beauty. The product has a rejuvenating effect on the body;
- The main benefit of the fruit is to prevent breast cancer;
- In pregnancy, the use of a small number of fruits helps to avoid vitamin deficiencies;
- The use of peanut butter during pregnancy eases toxicosis.
Do not overlook the benefits of walnuts for men:
- Vitamins C and B (found in fruits), eliminate fatigue and increase testosterone levels;
- Helps restore potency. For this there is a mass of recipes with honey, thanks to which the effect of the nut is enhanced;
- Of particular value for men's health carry the following components: zinc, calcium, magnesium. Substances help form testosterone molecules and increase the production of sex hormones.
- The daily dose of chopped nuts for men is 12-18 whole kernels. But to abuse the use of this product is not worth it.
Indisputable and the benefits of the fetus for children. Opinions about how many years it is necessary to give the child nuts, diverge. Some sources claim that this should be done from 2 years, others - from 5.
Most pediatricians recommend putting nuts on a child’s menu from the age of 3.
But only if he has no allergic reactions.
- Fruits improve memory and strengthen immunity;
- Helps to heal abrasions on the skin faster;
- Walnut oil is good for brain vessels.
The daily dose of walnuts for a child is 3 cores.
Interesting fact! Since the nut in appearance resembles the human brain, in Babylon it was forbidden to eat by commoners. The nobility was afraid that people would wiser.
The healing properties of membranes
Extraordinarily useful are membranes. They are characterized by an excellent therapeutic effect and the following beneficial properties:
- astringent;
- antibacterial;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antitumor.
In addition, they help to compensate for iodine deficiency, improve immunity.
Walnuts are used for making tinctures that strengthen hair. Everyone can make it. To do this, you need to fill the membrane with alcohol or vodka and put in a dark and warm place for a month. During this time, it will change its color from transparent to dark brown.
Walnut leaves: useful properties and contraindications
Benefits are not only the fruits of the walnut, but also the leaves. They contain a large amount of vitamin C (strengthens the vascular walls, helps the liver and kidneys) and carotene.
Leaves are preserved in June: they are quickly dried in the sun, avoiding blackening. Black color indicates that the healing properties of the leaves have been lost.
Various infusions and decoctions are used from the leaves, which are used for a variety of diseases:
- internal bleeding;
- oral diseases;
- rahite;
- tuberculosis;
- angina;
- gout;
- diseases of the digestive tract;
- oncological diseases and not only.
A decoction of the leaves of the nut will help get rid of skin rashes. Daily washing such decoctions will prevent acne, scars, make the skin smooth.
Broths and infusions treat skin diseases: diathesis, boils, weeping lichen, purulent wounds.
Despite its benefits, products made from walnut leaves have some contraindications:
- thrombophlebitis;
- increased blood clotting.
Leaf preparations for external use are not used only in case of individual intolerance.
The benefits and harms of walnut oil
First of all, walnut oil is recommended for elderly people suffering from hypertension, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis.
Walnut oil has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, prevents the occurrence of heart attacks and strokes. The substance contains a large amount of potassium and magnesium, as a result of which it allows to clean the vessels and make them more elastic.
Oil has one very important feature - the development of resistance to the effects of radiation on the body. Helps reduce the likelihood of developing malignant tumors.
Oil is recommended for use in diabetes mellitus, it helps to reduce blood glucose levels. In addition, the level of cholesterol does not rise immediately after discontinuation.
Oil has healing properties. It makes the skin softer, heals small cracks, wounds and ulcers, accelerates cell regeneration after getting burns.
Despite its many beneficial properties, it must be used carefully. It is strictly forbidden to use oil in the acute course of the following diseases:
- gastritis;
- disruption of the liver;
- stomach ulcer;
- low acidity.
Useful qualities and harm of green walnut
A lot of useful components contain green fruits. They contain the following substances:
- cobalt, phosphorus and magnesium;
- iodine and iron;
- poly-saturated fatty acids;
- vitamins of group B, vitamins PP and A;
- a large amount of organic and tannins;
- proteins;
- essential oils;
- yuglandin (unique alkaloid).
Due to its rich chemical composition, green walnuts are used to eliminate a variety of pathological conditions, neutralize inflammatory processes, clean the blood, restore liver activity.
But it must be remembered that almost every remedy has contraindications. The green nut is no exception. Medicines prepared on its basis cannot be used by people with individual intolerance to nuts, a tendency to thrombosis, the presence of ulcerative lesions of the stomach, psoriasis, or eczema.
Tinctures on alcohol are contraindicated in children, pregnant women.
The use of walnut in medicine and cosmetology
In addition to the above situations, walnut is used in medicine and cosmetology.
Use walnuts and for the manufacture of cosmetics. Their components are part of a variety of creams, toning and cleansing products for the skin. Nut-based cosmetics help remove excess sebum, thereby preventing the formation of oily sheen.
A resistant dye is made from the green shell of the fruit.
Use of walnut in cooking and nutrition
The use of the product in cooking is known to all since childhood. Cookies with nuts, nut cake, buns, apples - this is not a complete list of dishes that children and adults like.
Despite the calorie content and the amount of fat, walnuts are actively used in dietology. Each nutritionist recommends eating 5-7 cores per day. This recommendation is due to the fact that they contain good fats, allowing to reduce the level of lipids. Proteins and fats contained in the cores can completely replace the lack of meat in the menu.
Scientists have conducted a study in which they proved that daily consumption of walnuts regulates metabolism and leads to weight loss.
Useful properties and recipe nut jam
Few people know, but from walnuts you can make delicious jam, which has the following beneficial properties:
- boosts immunity;
- used as an adjuvant for the treatment of diseases of the thyroid gland;
- improves the functioning of cerebral vessels.
The use of jam is useful for children and pregnant women, with prolonged mental stress and nervous overstrain. But to abuse such a delicacy should not be, especially for people with excess weight.
Preparing walnut jam is not easy. This process is lengthy and time consuming.
First, it is necessary to cut off the green skin from the fruit. After that, they are soaked in cold water for three days. Water needs to be changed 4 times a day.
Secondly, after the expiration of the prescribed period, the fruit must be soaked in soda solution (150 grams of soda are filled with water) for 5 hours. Then the nuts are carefully washed and again filled with water, but for 24 hours.
Third, they are boiled for 10 minutes in boiling water, and then soaked again for 8 hours. After that, boil again for 10 minutes and soak in water for 12 hours.
Fourthly, after such a long procedure of soaking nuts, it is necessary to boil the syrup. For the syrup will need 1 kg of sugar and 2 glasses of water.
After preparing the syrup, kernels of nuts are poured into it and cooked for 15 minutes. After removal from the heat, the jam is infused for 6 hours. This procedure is repeated 5 times. After that, you can roll up the jam on the banks. Tasty delicacy for the winter is ready!
How to choose and store nuts
It is recommended to buy nuts in the shell, despite the fact that today a large number of peeled kernels are being offered. When choosing a product you need to pay attention to the following points:
- the shell should have a light brown tint;
- it should not be mold, stains and cracks;
- if a shaking sound is heard when shaking inside the shell, then this nut is unsuitable for human consumption. He no longer has any value.
Keep nuts easy. They will easily rest until next fall, but on condition that the room is dry and cool. Peeled kernels can be stored in the freezer, pre-wrapped in a bag.
Walnuts - a wonderful product! But you need to use it properly, so as not to harm your health.
More information about walnuts can be found in this video.
