Go ahead and snack all you want! Walnuts are good for you.
Did you know that walnuts are one of the wealthiest nuts on the planet? Yes – we meant wealthy – because they’re rich in history, taste, and, most importantly, nutrients. Just like the adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” walnuts, by the handful, are a nutritional powerhouse and a smart snack. They boost mental wellness, keep hunger at bay, and improve body functions.
A Superfood for Your Brain
It’s no coincidence that walnuts are shaped like a brain. They’re an easy, nutrient-packed way to add healthy fats and fiber to your meals and daily snacking to supply your brain with energy throughout the day. In fact, research shows that walnuts are great for mental wellbeing.
A 2019 clinical study published in the medical journal Nutrients pooled dietary intake data from 26,656 people and found that depression scores were 26% lower for those who ate walnuts specifically, compared with those who did not eat any nuts at all. Another 2011 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that including walnuts in your diet lowers the risk of clinical depression, and walnuts have been researched for their potential role in improving cognitive function.
Not Your Average Nut
When consumed as part of a healthy diet plan, like the Mediterranean diet, walnuts offer a variety of benefits for cardiovascular health, gut health, and disease prevention. A single serving provides plant-based protein and omega-3 fatty acids along with immune-boosting minerals and other essential nutrients that support energy, brain function, and heart health. They are an especially good source of antioxidants, which help repair damaged cells in your body, including damage due to “bad” cholesterol. Nut too shabby!
Walnuts are linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes because they help control weight. In a 2016 controlled study in the International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism of 100 people with type 2 diabetes, consuming 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed walnut oil daily for three months while continuing their usual diabetes medication and balanced diet resulted in an 8% decrease in fasting blood sugar.
But who wants to down walnut oil by the tablespoon when they can grab a handful of tasty Unbound Cinnamon walnuts instead? The roller coaster of blood sugar spikes and dips is no fun for anyone. Our flavor-packed walnuts offer a sugar-free snack that helps satisfy hunger and cravings while adding a healthy dose of fiber.
The Fountain of Youth?
If this doesn’t convince you to break out a bag of our Chili Lime walnuts, nothing will. In addition to keeping our bodies feeling healthy, walnuts also have the potential to reverse the signs of aging. Stress and inflammation play essential roles in aging, including dementia and other age-related challenges. It’s those antioxidant properties in walnuts that reduce inflammation to keep us looking great! According to a 2020 study by Chauhan and Chauhan, walnuts have shown the potential to boost motor coordination and delay the onset of age-related decline.
Walnuts Wal-not Disappoint
To sum it up, the walnut is a wildly nutritious nut with a rich nutrient profile contributing to health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved heart disease risk factors. Scientists are still uncovering how walnuts’ fiber and plant compounds may interact with gut flora.
You can expect to hear lots more about the health benefits of walnuts as the research continues. Till then, get snacking!