Nuts are an important part of many people’s diet, but not everyone realizes just how beneficial they can be to their overall health and well-being, both physically and mentally. With so many types of nuts available to the public today, it can be hard to know which ones you should try first. Whether you’re looking to add more fiber to your diet or you want some added protein while watching your weight, nuts provide all of these benefits and more! Here are 5 surprising benefits of adding nuts to your diet.
1) Helps You Lose Weight You're probably already aware of how nuts can play a role in your diet. But did you know that, in addition to adding essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, they can also help with weight loss? A 2009 study found that when dieters replaced other foods with tree nuts, they lost more weight than those who didn't. Organic Raw Chia Seeds Some researchers say it may be because nuts are more filling—they have about 16 times more fiber than many of their counterparts—and take longer to chew and digest.
2) Keeps Blood Sugar Levels Even Protein helps you feel fuller longer, which means your blood sugar levels won’t spike and crash. That keeps you from eating between meals or overeating at mealtime. It also keeps you from feeling deprived while dieting, a big problem for many people who are trying to lose weight. One study found that increasing protein intake resulted in a 55 percent drop in desire to eat and 37 percent fewer food cravings over 3 days (6). This could be because nuts are so high in fiber (it’s not just filler) that they don’t make you feel as full as other foods—and fiber is filling!
3) Helps Reduce Hunger Research has shown that including nuts in your diet can help lower blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol. In fact, adding one serving of nuts a day to your diet may reduce your risk of heart disease by almost 20 percent. And nut consumption is associated with lower rates of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and certain cancers. That’s because research shows eating them leads to greater weight loss than other types of diets; which is likely due to their being rich in protein and healthy fats that help you feel full while keeping you satisfied longer throughout the day.
4) Good For Heart Health In general, nuts are great for heart health. They have less sodium than other snacks, making them ideal for those with high blood pressure or prehypertension. They also help lower LDL cholesterol, which increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Organic Sunflower Seeds, In fact, research from Loma Linda University has found that people who regularly eat nuts are 40 percent less likely to develop heart disease than those who don’t. If you have high cholesterol, it's recommended that you try to include a few servings of nuts into your diet each week as part of a heart-healthy diet. And keep in mind that almonds and walnuts appear to be more beneficial for lowering cholesterol than peanuts and pistachios.
5) Promotes Healthy Skin Many nuts are high in monounsaturated fat, which has been linked to a reduced risk of skin cancer in many studies. The essential fatty acids also play an important role in keeping your skin looking young. Organic Walnut Kernels have been found to contain a large number of polyphenols, plant chemicals that reduce wrinkles and improve elasticity by increasing collagen production. And almonds are rich in vitamin E—as well as one of several carotenoids (including beta-carotene) that keeps skin smooth and supple.
Organic Pumpkin Seeds According to a new study published in Nutrition Journal, pumpkin seeds are one of the healthiest snacks you can eat. Organic Pumpkin seeds are rich in minerals and dietary fiber, which can benefit heart health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They’re also loaded with vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus; these nutrients may help prevent cancer and regulate hormone levels. In addition to its healthy fats (which we love), pumpkin seeds are also high in protein (about 8 grams per 1⁄4 cup) so they make a great post-workout snack when you want something crunchy but light. The best part: you don’t need a lot of them to reap their benefits—just 1/4 cup packs in an impressive amount of nutrition for just 160 calories!