A hazelnut, hazel or hazelnut is considered to be the "most Russian" nut. It has traditionally been part of the diet of Russian peasants since ancient times, along with other gifts of nature - berries and mushrooms. Our ancestors knew exactly what hazelnuts are good for their health, so they also wanted to cook more of these nuts in the season. In severe winters or in lean years such stocks helped survive the whole families. Today, hazelnut is not a necessity product, but it is still very popular as a seasoning, an ingredient of many dishes, a component of diets, etc. The use and harm of hazelnut is a constant subject for discussion among supporters of healthy lifestyles and experts in healthy nutrition.
Is hazelnuts useful?
The value of the hazelnut is determined by its unique composition, which contains exceptionally useful substances:
- protein - approximately 20% of the total mass;
- proteins and carbohydrate compounds - 13%;
- Fats - oils saturated with organic acids - about 60%;
- biologically active elements: magnesium, calcium, sodium, zinc, iron .
- there are vitamins in the hazelnuts, although their list is not too extensive. What vitamins are contained in hazelnuts? These are mostly vitamins of group B (B1, B2 and B6), as well as vitamin E.
Due to the high content of proteins and fats, hazelnuts are very nutritious and there are a lot of calories in them: in a hundred grams - almost seven hundred kcal.
It is believed that it is more useful not raw hazelnuts, but slightly roasted. Unlike other products, such as meat or vegetables, nuts do not accumulate carcinogens during frying. The benefits and harm of fried hazelnut are related to the peculiarities of the technology of its cooking. If all the technological operations are performed correctly, and the nut is not overcooked, then it will not harm the human body. On the contrary, in thermally processed hazelnuts, mold or pathogenic fungi will not start, it will be stored longer.
The use and harm of hazelnut in therapeutic nutrition
All is well in moderation - this statement is very true for eating hazelnuts. Despite all its usefulness, too much hazelnut should not be. Because of its high calorie content and high fat content, nuts can harm the liver, have a negative effect on the work of the gastrointestinal tract, induce digestive disorders and constipation. It is also usually not advisable to abuse hazelnuts, like any others, to those who want to lose weight. Although in this issue, nutritionists still disagree. Some of them, on the contrary, believe that hazelnut with a diet for weight loss is a desirable and even necessary product that is not capable of adding extra pounds. Also, many dietitians advise to include hazelnuts in the diet of diabetics. It is believed that hazelnuts in diabetes, despite the high content of carbohydrates, helps to optimize the process of processing glucose in the human body.
Hazelnut is also used to treat a variety of other diseases, such as anemia and anemia. In this case, it is recommended to use hazelnut for food along with raisins and other dried fruits . And in combination with honey, it is an excellent medicine for diseases of the lungs and bronchi. Such a tasty medicine can be taken for preventive purposes - to strengthen immunity. Frequent use of hazelnut significantly reduces the likelihood of problems with the cardiovascular system, veins and capillaries. Hazelnut can help people overcome prostate problems. Due to the presence of panclitaxel in the filament, it can be used in the prevention of oncology.