06 BEST BENEFITS OF CHESTNUTS
1. Boost Immune System
The high concentration of vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds in chestnuts make them an ideal boost to your immune system. Vitamin C not only stimulates the production of white blood cells, but also acts as an antioxidant, seeking out free radicals within the body and neutralizing them before they can cause healthy cells to mutate, or induce oxidative stress near vital organs. This can help the immune system focus its efforts on pathogens and preventing illnesses.
2. Prevent Diabetes
Many people are unaware of the significant role that dietary fiber can play in the regulation, prevention, and management of diabetes. Foods that are high in dietary fiber, like chestnuts, are considered a low glycemic food, which means that they cause blood sugar to rise more slowly. This helps to prevent the spikes and drops in blood sugar that can be dangerous for diabetic patients, and are often precursors to the development of diabetes in those currently unaffected.
3. Increase Bone Mineral Density
Copper and magnesium aren’t the first things that one thinks of when it comes to bone health, but copper is extremely important in the process by which the body absorbs iron, which is also crucial for bone growth and development. Magnesium is also very good for increasing bone mineral density, along with a wide variety of other health benefits. With these vital minerals that are found in chestnuts, you can prevent or slow the onset of many age-related disorders, such as osteoporosis.
4. Relieve Digestive Issues
Chestnuts have one of the highest content of dietary fiber in the world of “nuts”, which means that they are powerful allies in any gastrointestinal struggle. Dietary fiber helps stimulate peristaltic motion in the intestines, thus regulating your bowel movements and preventing inflammation and discomfort. Dietary fiber can also help to optimize the absorption of nutrients, which means getting more out of the food you eat and improving your overall nutrient profile.
5. Improve Brain Function
Brain function and cognition are improved in a number of ways through the consumption of chestnuts. First of all, these nuts are rich in the B family vitamins (e.g., folate, riboflavin, and thiamine) which are directly linked to proper neurological development and function. Furthermore, the potassium found in chestnuts can increase blood flow to the brain and promote good nervous system health, thus increasing concentration, retention, and memory.
6. Improve Heart Health
Many people think of fats as a bad thing to be burned off during a diet, but in fact, our body needs a number of other fats to function normally. These good fats, found in high concentrations in chestnuts, help to balance your cholesterol, reduce inflammation throughout the body, and lower the risk of atherosclerosis and blood clots building up in the body. This lowers your risk of stroke, heart attack, and coronary heart diseases to a greater extent.
Source: Organicfacts