Brazil nut: description, calories, useful properties and contraindications
Brazil nut: description, calories, useful properties and contraindications
Anonim

The nutritional value of the nut growing in distant Brazil, known throughout the world as the Brazilian nut, is very high. The scientific name of the plant is Bertoletia high. Delicious and very nutritious nuts can not only enrich the diet, but also bring great he alth benefits.

Interesting facts

The main suppliers are Brazil and Bolivia. It is from there that the largest batches of a valuable product diverge around the world. However, the Brazil nut also grows in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru. It is noteworthy that the harvest is harvested in wild forests, or rather, in the jungle. Artificially planted plantations do not produce fruit.

brazil walnut tree
brazil walnut tree

Externally, the plant is a tree up to 45 m high. Its trunk diameter can reach 2 m. The life span of trees is about 500–1000 years. The peculiarity of this species is that it requires unusual types of pollinators - large bees and bumblebees, without which the fruits simply will not tie. And they are attracted by fragrant orchids that settle on the trunks and branches of a tree.

A shelled nut is actually a seed, one of many inside a globular fruit withhard shell. This makes Bertoletia related to macadamia and coconut. Each seed, 3-5 cm long, also has its own hard shell. But only completely peeled nuts can be found on sale in our country, since only in this form they are exported. One tree per year produces up to 350 kg of fruit. The weight of the nut reaches 2.5 kg.

What is useful in it?

The he alth benefits of Brazil nuts are enormous. The richest biochemical composition of fruits is amazing:

  • fiber and dietary fiber;
  • polyunsaturated fatty acids;
  • more than 18 amino acids;
  • flavonoids;
  • 10 rare trace elements;
  • vitamins of groups B, E, C;
  • nicotinamide.
Nuts in the palms
Nuts in the palms

2/3 of the nut consists of unsaturated fatty acids that cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol. 100 grams contains 2730% of the daily requirement of an adult in selenium, an essential substance that protects the organs of the digestive tract from cancer. But it is worth remembering the high nutritional value of the product. There are more calories in Brazil nuts than in chocolate - 682 kcal / 100 g.

Contraindications

The danger lies in overeating. Delicious treats are hard to resist. If one or two nuts contain the daily norm of nutrients, then in a larger amount - an excess of fat. Moreover, overeating can provoke an allergic reaction.

The hard outer shell and soft intermediate contain a large amount of aflatoxins. These are substances that causeoccurrence of liver cancer. For this reason, only peeled kernels are exported, devoid of all shells.

Doctors warn that Bertoletia is a special plant that has the ability to accumulate radioactive ions of radium and barium in the fruits. This is another reason not to exceed the recommended daily allowance.

How much can you eat a day?

The optimal amount per day for an adult is 2-3 things. For children under 12, one nut a day is more than enough. For all its usefulness, the product is extremely high-calorie, so already 5 pieces can provoke heaviness in the epigastrium, and sometimes indigestion.

Nuts in a cup
Nuts in a cup

What diets can I include it in?

Brazil nuts are recommended to be introduced into a number of diets for various diseases. So, its benefits are undeniable in atherosclerosis, cataracts, nervous and cardiovascular pathologies. The unsaturated fats contained in the kernels lower blood cholesterol, which gives the desired therapeutic effect.

The nut is also useful for diseases of the digestive tract. The fiber-rich product helps to naturally cleanse the intestines. Heavy metals are neutralized, and the body's natural defense against gene mutations is enhanced.

Traditional medicine uses nuts to stabilize blood clotting. The regular inclusion of Bertoletia fruits in the diet will gradually help in the mildest way to lower high blood pressure and prevent thrombophlebitis. Positiveimpact on vision.

It is known that skin turgor suffers when losing weight. She can sag. Not always the use of specialized cosmetics gives a good effect. At this time, it is very useful to include nuts in the diet. The fats contained in them will allow the epidermis to restore elasticity and firmness.

How is it used in cooking?

The taste of the Brazil nut is very pleasant. As fans note, in many ways it is similar to macadamia and cashews. The fruits are delicious fresh, as well as fried and baked. However, it is important to remember that nuts cannot be stored for a long time, as they become bitter.

delicious treat
delicious treat

In confectioneries all over the world, you can find sweets that use whole or crushed nucleoli as a filling, and oil is also obtained from them. They go great with caramel and chocolate, both white and dark.

But this product has found its application not only in the preparation of sweets and pastries. Brazil nut recipes are all kinds of salads, casseroles, stews, meat and fish dishes. S alted, they are used as an appetizer for light alcoholic drinks. Chopped, added to sauces and dressings.

What is useful for women?

The healing effect is largely due to the high content of selenium. This substance normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland, helps the normal development of the fetus during pregnancy, and prevents infertility. Brazil nuts for women are useful not only for this: they are high in free radicals that protect the body from oncology.

shelled walnut
shelled walnut

Fruits rich in vegetable oils give beauty to the skin and hair, strengthen nails, and prevent premature aging. It is no coincidence that the nut is part of many cosmetic care products. To enrich their composition, extracts, extracts, oils, powder from dried fruits are used.

Leading cosmeceutical companies are working to develop improved and effective anti-aging formulations. Incorporating brazil nut oil into face creams and lotions gives them moisturizing properties. Distributed over the surface of the skin, the thinnest film of oil retains moisture in the upper layers of the epidermis, and also prevents contact with adverse environmental factors.

What is good for men?

Andrologists often recommend that patients include nuts in their diet. This recipe has been known since antiquity. Brazil nuts for men is a good prevention of prostate cancer, as well as prostatitis. The therapeutic effect is achieved by increasing the level of testosterone production, and increasing the motor activity of spermatozoa.

Walnut inside
Walnut inside

In Brazil, delicious nuts have long been recognized as a remedy for male infertility. Whether this is so is debatable. However, the following facts are well known. The countries of Latin America, where Bertoletia grows, are on the last lines of the world rankings in terms of the number of cases of male infertility. Here, becoming a father after 60 means no surprise.

Can I give to children?

Pediatriciansclaim it is necessary! Brazil nuts are recommended for children from 3 years of age. At first, a whole core is too much. Give in small pieces, carefully watching for a possible allergic reaction. And, it is not excluded, because among other varieties of nuts, this one is among the most allergenic.

Scientists conducted a study in which babies were given milk with the addition of crushed Bertoletia fruits. As a result, it was found that the quality and strength of sleep improved by 80%.

If a child likes a nut, then it can be given regularly, but not exceeding the recommended children's norm - a maximum of 20 g per day. Due to the high fat content, when overeating, digestive disorders are possible.

How to choose and store?

Brazil nuts are most useful only in their condition. Heat and sunlight provoke rapid rancidity of the fats contained in them. The optimal storage mode is in a cool place (refrigerator) in a light-proof container, for example, in a glass or porcelain opaque jar with a tight-fitting lid. It is best to use an opened pack within 1 month, no more. If frozen, shelf life is up to 1 year.

Unpeeled nuts
Unpeeled nuts

Quality is easiest to check by touch. High-quality kernels have a pleasant aroma, slightly moist. Even in a handful, when shaken, they make a slight rattling sound. The nut cracks with a loud crunch. A quality product does not have dark spots, mold, does not crumble in the hands. Before buying a bigquantities, for example, by weight, you should definitely take a sample to exclude the acquisition of old rancid nucleoli.

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