Brazil nut: useful properties and contraindications

The benefits and harms of the Brazil nut are a controversial issue. The rich chemical composition, high calorie content, beneficial effects on the male and female body, use in cosmetology and cooking contribute to the growth of the popularity of the product. However, a number of useful properties will turn into harm if the daily intake is exceeded.

What does a Brazil nut look like and where does it grow?

In the overwhelming majority of cases, the fruit of high bertolette is called the Brazil nut. This is due to similar properties: flavor, texture and shape. From the name it is easy to guess about the places where the tree grows. Bertholletia excelsa grows in the forests of the Amazon, namely Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Guiana. Contrary to the name, Bolivia is the largest importer of the product (50%). By the way, the Brazilians use the name "Chestnut from Para".

The tree is a record holder in many ways: its height can easily reach 45 m, trunk diameter up to 2 m, and age up to 1000 years. The trunk of the tree about ¾ of its height has no side branches, and only its upper quarter has a spherical crown, on which the fruits are placed. When ripe, they fall to the ground, which makes the work of harvesting extremely easy. After all, picking fruits from a 45-meter tree is not very convenient.

The fruits look like coconuts and are boxes containing nut seeds, the number of which varies from 8 to 24. The largest can reach up to 2.5 kg.

You can go on a trip to the homeland of the nut using the video:

The chemical composition and calorie content of Brazil nuts

An exotic plant is unique not only in appearance, but also in the composition of the fruits. The calorie content of a Brazil nut per 100 grams is about 650 kcal, and this also gives reason to classify the plant as a nut that is high in calories and is of great benefit in dietary nutrition.

Fats account for about 70% of the bertolethia fruit, but most of them are unsaturated, which means they are healthy. Analyzing the chemical composition, one can only wonder: how an endless number of valuable amino acids, flavonoids, minerals and vitamins with useful properties can fit in a small Brazilian nut.

Why is Brazil nut good for the body?

Such a composition allows us to draw quite logical conclusions: the benefits of the Brazilian nut for the human body are invaluable.

• The most useful thing is that the product contains a record amount of selenium - a trace element that can slow down and even stop the development of oncological formations. Selenium deficiency negatively affects the condition of the skin, joints and thyroid function.
• Chestnut from Para is a reliable assistant in the fight against stressful situations and depression.
• Walnut normalizes hormonal balance and benefits the endocrine and cardiovascular systems.
• The benefits of the Brazilian fruit are also expressed in a beneficial effect on reproductive function: it prolongs its period and even helps with infertility.

For women

Brazil nuts are a natural treasure of beauty. Firstly, it has anti-aging properties, promoting regeneration processes and neutralizing harmful free radicals, and secondly, it will be beneficial for the skin, nails and hair due to the high content of amino acids.

The components contained in the Brazilian nut will alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and older women will benefit from the early onset of menopause.

For men

The stronger sex should definitely add this little nut to their daily diet. Its benefit lies in reducing the risk of prostatitis and the likelihood of prostate cancer, improving sexual function by increasing sperm activity and normalizing testicular function.

Can Brazil nuts be pregnant and lactating

In addition to the described properties, selenium useful for the functioning of the female reproductive system. It ensures a smooth pregnancy and prevents the appearance of various pathologies in the fetus. A healthy nut helps not only to give birth to healthy offspring, but also to reduce the risk of diseases in such a crucial period.

Also in Brazilian nuts there are omega-3 and omega-6 acids, which are useful for expectant mothers due to the property of reducing the likelihood of premature birth, placental insufficiency, late toxicosis and postpartum depression.

However, after the birth of a child in the case of breastfeeding, it is no longer worth eating nuts, since exotic foods can harm the baby.

Brazil nut for children

Brazil nuts should be introduced into the children's diet after 3 years in minimal doses to make sure that there are no allergic reactions. It will be useful for adolescents, especially during the school period, because valuable trace elements improve memory, development of thinking and increase the production of growth hormone.

Is Brazil nut good for weight loss

Nuts will also benefit people who decide to say goodbye to extra pounds. A couple of Brazilian nuts on the menu will help you feel less hungry, even if the portions of your meal are significantly reduced, because fiber affects the feeling of satiety.

Healthy unsaturated fats will lower bad cholesterol levels by preventing deposits on blood vessels and the formation of body fat. In addition, amino acids tend to increase the effectiveness of training, which means that you will be able to achieve the planned results faster and easier.

How to use Brazil nuts medicinally

Probably, the greatest value of nuts is manifested through their ability to prevent cancer.

It is worth noting their ability to strengthen the immune system and resistance to various diseases, which means their benefits in recovering from diseases.

Brazil nuts for diabetes will also have a beneficial effect by leveling blood sugar levels.

Walnut oil will help get rid of dermatoses and psoriasis: it is applied to individual areas of the skin, followed by removal with a napkin, or added to useful medicinal baths.

Benefits and uses of Brazil nut oil

Today, thanks to their beneficial chemical composition, nuts are used:

• in medicine (prevention of diseases, recovery from illness, increasing immunity and ensuring the normal functioning of the body);
• in dietetics (cleansing the gastrointestinal tract and removing harmful compounds);
• in trichology (strengthening and nourishing hair and hair follicles);
• in the cosmetology field (minimization of the harmful effects of free radicals, healthy nutrition of the skin and the fight against its imperfections).

Brazilian nut in cosmetology

The beauty industry has long appreciated the nutritious and regenerating properties of walnut and uses it as a base in beauty products.

For face and body

Especially popular is the use of walnut for the production of useful anti-aging products: due to its ability to penetrate deeply into the skin, it provides nourishment and moisture to both the upper and deep dermal layers of the skin. This slows down the appearance of wrinkles and increases tissue turgor.

Buying such cosmetics, you can choose to purchase the oil in its pure form and add it to existing creams and lotions, or prepare useful masks and scrubs.

• The simplest mask can be made by mixing equal amounts of Brazil nut oil and olive oil. This mixture should be soaked in a napkin and put on your face for 20 minutes.
• 2–3 drops of oil added to the prepared coffee scrub will enhance the beneficial effect on the skin.

For hair

Hair, which is daily exposed to various kinds of harmful influences, also needs constant nutrition.

• A few drops of oil in your favorite shampoo or conditioner will enrich it and enhance its effectiveness.
• The maximum benefit can be obtained by applying the oil to the hair for 3-4 hours, followed by rinsing with water and shampoo. The course of such therapy is 10-15 procedures.

Brazil nuts in cooking

Recently, it has become quite possible to purchase exotic nuts in local supermarkets. This opens up new horizons for culinary imagination. The taste of the Brazilian nut is similar to that of pine nut, it complements desserts, sauces, salads and soups, adding a touch of piquancy to the dishes. How to use the product in the kitchen depends only on individual preferences. Culinary masterpieces are beyond the power of everyone, so you can simply fry healthy nuts and sprinkle with salt.

Gourmets can try to prepare delicious and healthy dishes with exotic nuts.

Nut pie:

Nut muffin with jam and chocolate:

How many Brazil nuts can you eat per day

Each nut contains a fairly high concentration of the components mentioned above, which can both benefit the body and cause harm. So the daily rate should not exceed 10 g, which corresponds to 1-2 nucleoli. Otherwise, harm cannot be avoided.

The harm of the Brazil nut and contraindications

A useful nut will be an excellent "healer", but if abused, negative consequences cannot be avoided.

• The property of selenium to accumulate in the body leads to the development of various diseases, and sometimes it can be fatal.
• The presence of radium and barium is another reason for moderate consumption of nuts.
• There are contraindications for use for people with nut allergies, as well as persistent high blood pressure and asthma.

How to choose and store Brazil nuts

When choosing healthy nuts, you need to know a few secrets that will protect you from poor-quality purchases.

• The first requirement is the integrity of the shell, there should not be the slightest hint of cracks and bruises.
• The second is weightiness, because inside is exactly what benefits the human body. In the shell, the nut is stored for a relatively long time (up to 2 years) without losing its properties.
  
• When opting for a peeled nut, you should prefer smooth, hard and crunchy kernels.If the kernels are sold in a package, it is worth choosing a transparent one, allowing you to see the contents.

Conclusion

Both the benefits and harms of the Brazil nut are mainly due to its high selenium content. Friendship with this fruit will be beneficial and will definitely have a beneficial effect on the physical condition, well-being and appearance. But in order to avoid possible harm, the number of nucleoli should be strictly controlled.

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