Consuming walnuts is the easiest way to good health, a recently published study has revealed. It has been found that walnuts have natural compounds that can release pleasure inducing chemicals in the brain that fight depression. There are several other compounds that help reduce cholesterol and also aid weight loss attempts. Walnuts are also known to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered essential for the body and are necessary because they help lower cholesterol levels.

Walnuts

Walnuts Nutritional Value and Weight Loss
Walnuts are also known to be excellent sources of proteins and are rich in fiber as well as vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Omega-3 fatty acid has only a few known sources, of which walnuts are one of the finest. When you consume walnuts, you lower your cholesterol levels and also the triglyceride levels of your body, thus lowering the overall risk of heart disease. Apart from combating depression and aiding weight loss, the nutrients present in walnuts can also help strengthen the bones and lower overall glucose levels of the blood.

Although all nuts are rich in fats, it is walnut oil that is richest in omega-3 fatty acids. Walnut oil is especially rich in this essential fatty acid and can help in lowering depression. The effects of the essential fatty acids are also known to be on children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Studies have found out that the quality of the omega 3 fatty acids found in walnuts is better than those found in fish. Walnut contains alpha linolenic acid that is also found in flaxseeds and is considered of a higher bioavailability than the DHA and the EPA found in fish.

Eating a few walnuts before having a meal can suppress the appetite of a person, therefore lowering the amount of caloric intake that can be expected from a meal. For a person who is trying to reduce weight, this can be a great way to stay in shape. Nutritionally, walnuts are also rich sources of vitamin E that is an excellent antioxidant and lowers the risk of cancer. Apart from that, consumption of walnuts also provides the daily requirement of vitamin B, potassium, manganese, calcium, and magnesium.

The FDA has also recognized the many health benefits of walnuts and therefore, has recommended an increased consumption of these nuts in order to lower the risk of heart disease. The American Journal of Nutrition has recently shown that walnuts consumption can significantly decrease the total cholesterol as well as the LDL cholesterol, which is considered bad for the body. Since the nuts are high in antioxidants, they have many other kinds of beneficial effects on the body.

There have been some studies who have maintained that the association of walnuts with weight loss has so far been inconclusive; however, it has been found that the consumption of these nuts does not really have any adverse effects on weight loss attempts as well. Just a handful of walnuts can provide a good amount of energy as well as many important nutrients that are vital for our health.