Malik
Ranch Nuts
All About Nuts
Nuts are naturally fortified with vitamins, minerals, and
fiber, and not to mention, cholesterol-free! A great source of Vitamin
E and protein, nuts are quite versatile in their uses. They can top a
salad, dress up a dessert, or be eaten raw.
Nuts have health benefits, too. They can lower your cholesterol level
and your risk for heart disease. Ninety percent of the fat in nuts is
unsaturated. Saturated fat has been shown to raise blood cholesterol levels,
which can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Unsaturated
fats, such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, can actually lower
low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or the “bad” cholesterol levels)
and maintain HDL “good” cholesterol, therefore lowering your
risk for cardiovascular disease by improving the overall ratio of the
two types of cholesterol.
Watching your weight does not mean you should exclude
nuts from your diet. In some studies, researchers found that nut eaters
tended to maintain overall body weight, even though they consumed higher
levels of protein, fiber, fat, and calories. These results suggest that
people who eat nuts may be better at regulating their energy balance than
non-nut eaters.
Nuts contain antioxidants and phytochemicals. Researchers are continually
discovering important information about the roles of antioxidants and
phytochemicals in the prevention of chronic disease. Antioxidants protect
against oxidation, or damage to cells in the body. Vitamin E, a powerful
antioxidant found in nuts, is believed to play a role in preventing the
development of cancer, diabetes, heart and lung disease and cataracts.
Phytochemicals are plant compounds that appear to decrease risk of heart
disease, cancer and other chronic diseases.
