Description of Walnuts
Walnuts are unusual of all the different types of nuts – they contain polyunsaturated fatty acids of both omega-3 and omega-6 families, as well as monounsaturated fats, but no cholesterol. Omega-3 improves blood flow around the arteries and helps reduce risk of heart disease. Walnuts are the main “non-fish” source of alpha-linolenic acid, which in our bodies transform into omega-3 fatty acids. These nuts are also rich in antioxidants, which protects cells from free-radical damage, helps to detoxify potential cancer-causing substances and prevents cancer cells from multiplying (especially in ellagic acid, which stops the metabolic pathways that can lead to cancer and heart disease). Walnuts also contain serotonin and a dozen different pain-relieving compounds.
Health benefits of Walnuts
Walnuts has the best benefits for the heart and circulatory system (proper blood composition, proper composition and flexibility in our blood vessel walls, correct balance in inflammation-regulating molecules), anti-cancer benefits (because of the wide variety antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients). It also helps reduce problems in metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes (primarily related to blood sugar control and insulin metabolism), support bone health, support of weight loss and for prevention of obesity, memory and general thought processes and all nervous system (because walnuts contains melatonin which is a widely-active messaging molecule in our nervous system).