Adding a healthy amount of walnuts to your diet can be extremely beneficial. From helping with your hair and skin health to improving your heart and brain health, there are a ton of reasons that you should be adding walnuts to your regular diet. Walnuts provide a ton of protective nutrients, all packed into a small little package.
In fact, a single one-ounce serving of walnuts will provide you with 4.8 g of protein, 7% of your dietary fiber, 11% of magnesium, 4% of iron, and 10% of vitamin B6. Providing your body with everything from omega 3 fatty acids to B vitamins, and more, these small and odd-shaped nuts are better for your health than you would even imagine. No matter what type of health ailment you are trying to avoid, walnuts are likely to help. Here are just fourteen of the great health benefits that walnuts provide.
1. Heart Health
Walnuts contain a component that is called ellagic acid. This works against fat that is accumulating inside of the arteries. When fat stays in the arteries it will begin to harden with time and then narrow the arteries. It can even rupture and completely block the flow of blood. This can cause a person to develop high blood pressure and may even cause a stroke or a heart attack.
Walnuts also contain omega 3 fatty acids, which can help to reduce inflammation and also discourage the buildup of plaque in the arteries. These fatty acids can also improve the function of the arteries as they encourage the walls of the arteries to open, which can help to modulate blood pressure. Once again, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease. The AHA recommends eating walnuts as well as other foods that contain these fatty acids as a way to protect your heart.
