Walnuts

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Walnuts are fruits of the Walnut tree, from the eponymous Walnut family. It is a high-calorie, but extremely healthy nuts. The walnut kernel consists of two unequal fleshy parts. They are almost white in color and covered with thin, light brown skin and are partially attached to each other. The nuts themselves are enclosed in round or oblong shells, which are brown in color and difficult to break.

Walnut is a cultivated tree, and the usable parts of it are the leaves, fruits and outer shells of green fruits. This is the first tree from which people have obtained food in the past. An interesting fact is that a walnut can bear fruit for 100 years. In Bulgaria, the walnut tree is widespread.

Composition of walnuts

Walnuts are an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids. Walnuts are also a very good source of manganese and a good source of honey. In addition, walnuts contain the antioxidant and phytochemical, ellagic acid. 25 grams of walnuts contain 163 calories, 3.81 grams of protein and 16.30 grams of fat.

In terms of vitamin C, walnuts are superior to blackcurrants and citrus fruits. They are rich in vitamins A, B and E, as well as many trace elements. Walnuts are very rich in protein and fat, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and other mineral salts. Walnut leaves are high in iodine.

Types of walnuts

Although there are many types of walnut trees, there are three main types of walnuts that are consumed: English (or Persian) walnut, black walnut, and white walnut.

The walnut has a thin shell that breaks easily. The black walnut has a thick shell and has a much sharper, distinctive taste. The white walnut has a sweet taste and is higher in fat than the other two types, although it is not as common as them.

Walnut originates from India and the regions around the Caspian Sea and is therefore also known as Persian walnut. In the 4th century, the ancient Romans introduced walnuts to many European countries, where their cultivation began. Throughout its history, walnut trees have been highly revered for their uses, which include as food, medicine, shelter, paints and lamp oil.

Black and white walnuts originate in North America, in particular in the Central Mississippi Valley and the Appalachian region. Today, the leading commercial producers of walnuts are the United States, Turkey, China, Iran, France and Romania.

Selection and storage of walnuts

When buying whole walnuts, which are with the shells, it is necessary to select those that feel heavy for their size. Their shells should not be cracked, punctured or stained, and this is often a sign of the development of mold in walnuts.

Due to their high content of polyunsaturated fats, walnuts are extremely perishable and care must be taken when storing them. Walnuts in shell should be stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator, where they will be stored for six months or in a freezer, where they will be stored for up to a year. Walnuts without shells are preferably stored in the refrigerator, where they will remain fresh for six months.

Culinary use of walnuts

Walnuts can be eaten raw or roasted. They are a great addition to muesli and oatmeal; to porridges and salads. They are used in protein shakes, and it is especially suitable to add them to tarator, lettuce, skim cottage cheese or mozzarella. Walnuts are used in the filling of traditionally prepared for St. Nicholas carp. They are used to make walnut liqueur and jam. Walnuts are indispensable in the preparation of walnut cake, homemade walnuts, walnut sauces and various walnut cakes.

Types of foods that can be obtained from walnuts are walnut oil, walnut flour and walnut essence. They can be consumed and dried. They complement a great number of cakes and desserts. Some of the most famous desserts are strained yogurt with honey and walnuts and baklava with walnuts.

Walnuts are a very high-calorie food, therefore, when following a diet should not consume more than 30 g per day. Even this small handful is enough to speed up the metabolism.

Benefits of walnuts

- Incorporating walnuts in the diet can be an important step in improving the cardiovascular system. Walnuts are an important source of monounsaturated fats - about 15% of the fat in them is healthy monounsaturated fats.

- The high content of antioxidants in walnuts can be key to heart protection reactions;

- People who consume large amounts of foods containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as walnuts do not suffer from high blood pressure;

- Walnuts improve cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes;

- Walnuts help reduce the levels of several molecules that promote the development of atherosclerosis;

- Walnuts, a rich source of omega-3 fats and alpha-linolenic acid, help to improve the function of the arteries after eating a diet high in fat;

- Walnuts are often associated as "brain food" due to their high concentration of omega-3 fats. The human brain is more than 60% structural fat. For brain cells to function properly, these structural fats must be primarily omega-3 fats, which are found in walnuts and cold-water fish.

- Walnuts help prevent the formation of gallstones;

- Walnuts help with bad breath more than chewing gum;

- Walnuts are the source of melatonin, which is key to sleep quality. Eating walnuts will get rid of sleep problems and difficulty falling asleep;

- Walnuts, rich in omega-3 fats protect bone strength;

- they are very useful for pregnant women because they strengthen both their and the baby's health and accelerate its growth;

- Frequent consumption of walnuts can reduce stress levels in the body and therefore take care of good heart health. The inclusion of walnuts or walnut oil in the menu helps to regulate high blood pressure caused by stress. They reduce the risk of becoming depressed;

- Walnuts reduce the risk of weight gain. You can eat them as a snack. They give a feeling of satiety, which helps to keep the figure in the desired shape;

- Walnuts contain beneficial substances that care for healthy and clean skin. They fight blemishes and scars, restoring skin radiance. You can find walnuts as an ingredient in a number of skin and hair cosmetics. As for the latter, a shampoo or conditioner with walnuts in its composition would make the hair healthier, more beautiful and shiny. Last but not least, they stimulate hair growth, strengthen hair and prevent hair loss. They support the strength of the nails by making them stronger and reducing brittleness.

Harm from walnuts

Walnuts are one of the foods that cause allergies. One of the most severe allergic reactions is to walnuts. Sensitivity to them is very high, even when in small quantities. They can cause severe swelling in the larynx, acute stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, urticaria, asthma and severe anaphylactic shock.

Harmless and common harm from eating walnuts is throat irritation. If you indulge in eating your favorite nuts, you may feel a pain or a slight sore throat that will go away the next day.

Again, if you overeat walnuts, you may experience stomach problems - vomiting, upset stomach, stomach upset, and gas.

Folk medicine with walnuts

For centuries, walnuts have been used in folk medicine as a great remedy against fatigue and to restore strength. Avicenna himself recommended honey with ground walnuts against diseases associated with exhaustion.

Rolling walnut between the palms is a strong remedy against nervous excitement. Walnut leaves are also included in a number of folk recipes. The leaves collected in June are used as an anthelmintic, a remedy against skin diseases, eczema, cutaneous tuberculosis. Decoction of the leaves also helps with angina.

Green nuts are widely used in folk medicine!