Chestnuts are delicious, edible nuts that are commonly roasted, boiled, candied, pureed, ground into flour for bread-making, grilled, steamed, and deep-fried. By adding them into our diet, our body can enjoy high levels of dietary fiber, minerals, ‘good’ fats, vitamins, nutrients, antioxidant compounds and other important components.
Health Benefits Of Chestnuts
Improves Digestion
Just 10 roasted chestnuts can supply 17% of our needed fiber for the day.
Dietary fiber regulates bowel movements, prevents inflammation and discomfort, and optimizes the absorption of nutrients. According to the Mayo Clinic, the fiber in plant-based foods like nuts can help maintain GI health, lower LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol levels, and contribute toward a healthy weight by filling us up.
Boost Immune System
Chestnuts have high levels of vitamin C and traces of other antioxidants and minerals like copper which all make them an ideal food for boosting the immune system. Vitamin C is an important component since it supports the formation of blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen throughout our body and acts as an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals before they cause healthy cells to mutate or induce oxidative stress near vital organs.
Controls Blood Pressure
Chestnuts also contain potassium, a mineral that controls water movement within our body, and it also functions as a vasodilator, thus increasing blood flow and releasing the tension on constricted blood vessels and arteries. The reduction of blood pressure can help lessen our risk of stroke and heart attacks.
Increase Bone Mineral Density
Chestnuts contain vital minerals such as copper and magnesium.
Its copper content is extremely important in the process by which the body absorbs iron, which is also crucial for enhancing bone growth and development and boosting the immune system. Meanwhile, magnesium was found to be very good for increasing bone mineral density.
Due to these effects, the consumption of chestnuts may help prevent or slow the onset of many age-related disorders, such as osteoporosis.
Increase Energy Levels
Chestnuts contain high amounts of complex carbohydrates which are slowly digested by our body and used for short- and long-term energy.
Support Brain Function
Chestnuts are rich in fat-soluble B vitamins – folate, thiamine, riboflavin- that are directly linked to proper neurological development and function. In addition to this, its potassium content can also help increase blood flow to the brain and promote good nervous system health. These all lead to increased concentration and memory.
