Hazelnuts offer several health benefits, including supporting heart health, potentially protecting against cancer, boosting skin health, and providing a good source of vitamin B and antioxidants.
Hazelnuts, huh? We often see them in chocolates or maybe sprinkled on desserts, but have you considered what these little nuts bring to the table, health-wise? Well, we’re about to find out.
Note: We’ll explore the topic further below.
Health Benefits of Hazelnuts
Here’s a rundown of the health perks of hazelnuts that science is starting to seriously back up, plus a few extras thrown in for good measure, such as:
1. Boosts Heart Health
Eating hazelnuts can help lower the amount of “bad” cholesterol in your blood, which is a good thing. This helps to reduce the risk of heart problems—pretty straightforward, right?
And it’s not just that, hazelnuts are rich in healthy fats, dietary fiber, antioxidants, potassium, and magnesium, all of which play a role in keeping your blood pressure in check.
2. Protection from Cancer
Hazelnuts are packed with vitamin E, and studies suggest that noshing on these nuts can help protect you from cell damage that could lead to cancer.
Also, they’re full of manganese, making them a powerhouse for enzyme function. This might help reduce oxidative stress and, therefore, cancer risk.
3. Increased Muscle Mass
This might sound a little bro-science-y, but the protein content in hazelnuts means they’re good for your muscles, making them a worthwhile snack for anyone hitting the gym, um, regularly.
Besides improving muscle mass in your body, burning fat happens quicker and, over time, this elevates a person’s fitness level. Doing normal things, exercising regularly, and burning calories is easier than before and, of course, this all comes from the benefits of hazelnuts.
4. Boosts Skin Health
The high vitamin E content in hazelnuts makes them a great ally in protecting your skin from sun damage. Plus, they contain antioxidants that fight signs of aging. Who knew a handful of nuts could be part of your skincare routine?
5. Boosts Nervous System Health
One of the benefits of hazelnuts is it helps to provide your nerves with defense against health problems making them stronger over time. It boosts vitamin B6 amongst the biochemical connections between the nerve cells in the blood. This will positively reflect upon a person’s mental state and improve their sleeping patterns.
6. Improves Enzyme Function Noticeably
Thanks to the magnesium they contain, hazelnuts help enzymes to function properly. These enzyme functions assist in getting rid of fats, and the lower levels of cholesterol help to preserve bowel health and protect from constipation.
7. Excellent Source of Antioxidants
Antioxidants play an undeniable role in maintaining body health, but when there aren’t enough, the cells don’t get the nutrients they need to function like they should. This may increase your susceptibility to getting sick. That’s the kind of situation that could trigger the emergence of numerous health problems.
This state requires awareness to balance the elements by, for example, increasing intake and making sure the body receives all of its needs. The difference that can be noticed because of this will be small, but the overall effects on your health will be huge.
8. Rich Source of Vitamin B
Hazelnuts help to increase and maintain healthy levels of vitamin B in your body. Vitamin B plays a very important role in making a person energetic. It also helps to burn fat so your body has energy to use as needed.
9. Other Hazelnut Benefits
For centuries, ancient populations in the Americas have used hazelnuts in lots of their daily rituals, acknowledging that the healing benefits of hazelnuts are countless; for example:
- Adding hazelnuts to tea to make a medicinal drink to help rid any allergy symptoms.
- Using hazelnuts to help speed up the healing of wounds, protect the skin, and protect it from the sun.
- Adopting hazelnut oil for therapeutic massages as it’s used in joint rehabilitation.
- Taking the nut as a snack to give to kids because it’s so easy to eat.
Hazelnuts, naturally, give us so much, so it’s always a good idea to enjoy them, whether by eating them as a snack or using them in whatever way best suits you, to reap the most rewards you can from them.
Hazelnut Consumption Warnings
A few things to keep in mind:
- People allergic to Sudanese peanuts, cashews, walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, or macadamia nuts might also be allergic to hazelnuts.
- Hazelnuts are generally considered safe for pregnant women when eaten in amounts found in foods, but there isn’t solid research to confirm its safety when taken in larger, medicinal doses.
Testimonials
I started adding a handful of hazelnuts to my morning oatmeal, and I’ve noticed a real difference in my energy levels throughout the day. Plus, my skin seems to have a bit of a glow!
As someone who’s always struggled with snacking on unhealthy foods, I’ve found that hazelnuts are a fantastic alternative. They’re satisfying, and I know I’m getting good nutrients at the same time.
Myth & Facts
Myth: Hazelnuts are too high in fat to be healthy.
Fact: While hazelnuts are high in fat, it’s mostly the healthy kind that’s good for your heart. Portion control is key!
Question: Can hazelnuts really help with skin health?
Answer: They contain vitamin E and antioxidants, which can contribute to healthier skin when combined with a balanced diet and skincare routine.
So, are hazelnuts little powerhouses of health? Seems that way! From heart health to skin benefits, these nuts offer a lot more than just a chocolatey companion. We’ve noticed adding just a few to our diets can make a difference.
