To be able to ‘crack open’ all the health benefits of walnuts, there would be quite a lengthy list so let’s start right off.
Walnuts can be eaten as a snack when roasted, or combined with your favorite breakfast cereal, dessert or salads. An excellent source of protein, walnuts contain dietary fibers, vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, iron, zinc and potassium.
The component of walnuts which make them a part of our Good-Food-for-the-Heart series is the essential fatty acids that they contain. You can get almost two-thirds of the percentage of the polyunsaturated fats that your body needs from walnuts. This type of fat is the healthy one, which helps reduce the level of ‘bad’ cholesterol.
These delicious nuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids which helps reduce the risks of stroke and hearth disease while lowering the cholesterol level. If you’ve ever heard of the Mediterranean diet which is rich in foods containing walnuts, the patrons of this diet enjoy a host of heart-friendly benefits. This includes protection against oxidative damage, cancer and diabetes.
So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and munch on a handful of walnuts and enjoy the rich flavor, the crunchiness and the wide array of benefits that they can provide for your heart.