Dorothy FarrarWalnuts
Walnuts are very popular, especially at Christmas time they should not be missing on any Christmas plate and are an indispensable ingredient in baking. Not only are they very tasty, they also contain ingredients that are healthy and mainly support the blood vessels.
Here’s what you should know about walnuts
When walnuts are sold in stores, they are usually the fruit of the walnut tree. The leaf elements of the walnut form a shell that protects the hard shell underneath. The walnuts are reminiscent of the cerebral hemispheres, which are also divided into two.
Walnuts are usually light brown in color and about three inches long. The width of the walnut is three to five centimeters. The flesh has a very characteristic taste, the flesh of the nuts tastes slightly bitter but has a sweet note. The walnuts are light and have a firm bite.
The walnut tree originally came from Asia, but spread very quickly as a wild plant and is now known throughout Europe. Its special connection to Italy and France earned it the name “changeable tree” east of the Rhine. A walnut tree can grow very old, 150 years is not uncommon. After about 15 years it bears fruit for the first time. At the age of 40 to 80 years, the trees bear a lot of fruit, more than 50 kilograms on each tree.
The walnut trees are very sensitive to frost, they thrive particularly well in areas with mild winters. Walnut trees therefore need special climatic conditions, which are definitely present in California, Mexico, China, Anatolia and Iran. The walnuts are harvested in early autumn. The most important growing countries in Europe are France, Romania and Italy.
importance to health
Walnuts are very healthy, they maintain the elasticity of veins and blood vessels . Walnuts are also said to help reduce blood cholesterol levels and bring them back to normal. As a result, walnuts support the heart and circulatory system of the body.
Even a few walnuts have health benefits, but they must be eaten regularly. Walnut oil also has health effects, even small amounts can prevent high blood pressure . A daily ration of about 30 grams is recommended, which corresponds to about five to ten walnuts. Walnuts are also said to protect against diabetes and prevent prostate disease in men. US studies even show the first signs of an inhibitory effect on breast cancer .
Walnuts are also very popular in naturopathy, they are the right way to combat diarrhea and prevent tapeworms from developing in the first place. Applied externally, walnut extract helps with skin ulcers and allows wounds to heal better. Of course, walnuts are also used in homeopathy, they are an effective remedy for acne and abscesses on the skin .
Ingredients & nutritional values
Walnuts contain unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, trace elements and minerals. These substances have a positive effect on health and the fat content of the nuts should not be underestimated. A single walnut has quite a 60% fat content. The walnut has about 15% protein and carbohydrates. However, only 10% of the fat in walnuts is based on saturated fatty acids, with the majority being unsaturated fatty acids.
Walnuts therefore have a very high fat content, but this does not necessarily result in weight gain. If other types of fat are largely avoided, you will not gain weight. Walnuts also have omega-3 fatty acids, 15% is alpha-linolenic acid. It supports heart muscle function .
Walnuts also contain zinc, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, calcium, magnesium and sodium. Walnuts also contain various vitamins, vitamin C, A, B1, B2, B3, B5 and B9 are in sufficient quantity.
| Calories and nutrients (per 100g) | ||
| kilocalories/kilojoules | 654 kcal/ 2738 kj | |
| protein | 14,40 g | |
| carbohydrates | 10,60 g | |
| Fett | 62,50 g | |
| Water | 4,38 g | |
| fiber | 6,14 g | |
| Vitamin B3 | 1000 µg | |
| Vitamin E | 6040 µg | |
intolerances
Walnuts are generally well tolerated. But if you are allergic to nuts, you should also refrain from eating walnuts. Allergic reactions include swelling in the mouth and irritation on the skin. Walnuts can trigger neurodermatitis flare-ups and if vomiting , diarrhea and even shortness of breath are triggered after eating walnuts, a doctor must be consulted immediately.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Whole nuts should be bought, they have more flavor than shelled walnuts. In the case of packaged goods, the use-by date should always be observed and if the kernels rattle when the package is shaken, this is a sign that they are “old”. You should also ask at the market stall how fresh the walnuts are.
preparation tips
Walnuts taste so good because they contain a lot of fat. Storage is therefore very important, the fat must be preserved. However, the oil goes rancid easily and the nuts no longer taste good. Always keep nuts in their shells in an airtight container so that no oxygen gets to the walnuts.
If the nuts are already shelled, they should be stored in a cool, dark and dry place. The more the walnuts are processed, the shorter their shelf life. Bags of chopped or ground produce should be used up quickly.
Walnut kernels are an enrichment for baked goods, but walnuts also play an important role in food. It is very tasty as a salad accompaniment and many dishes get a special touch from the walnut. Walnuts for spaghetti sauce? Yes, that also fits and gives the dish an autumnal component.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.