Optimizing Nut Consumption: Dietary Restrictions and Benefits

January 31, 2024

Nuts are quite popular and eating them can benefit the skin, brain, cardiovascular health, and anti-aging. However, it is important to consume them in moderation due to their high fat content, which can be harmful to individuals with hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Specific dietary restrictions for consuming nuts are as follows:


Common dietary restrictions for eating nuts

1. Walnuts

Benefits: Experts recommend eating walnuts two to three times a week, especially for elderly people and menopausal women. The arginine, oleic acid, antioxidants, and other substances in walnuts are beneficial for protecting the cardiovascular system and preventing coronary heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.

Restrictions: Do not consume too many walnuts at once as it may affect digestion. Peeling off the brown skin on the surface of walnuts can result in a loss of nutrients.

2. Chestnuts

Benefits: Chestnuts are rich in soft dietary fiber, making them suitable for consumption by individuals with diabetes in moderate amounts.

However, raw chestnuts are difficult to digest, and cooked chestnuts can cause bloating, so it is best not to consume them in large quantities at once.

Restrictions: It is recommended to treat chestnuts as snacks between meals or incorporate them into dishes rather than consuming them in large quantities after a meal, as it may lead to excessive calorie intake and hinder weight management.

3. Sunflower Seeds

Benefits: Sunflower seeds contain protein that is comparable to various types of meat. Regular consumption of sunflower seeds has certain effects on preventing coronary heart disease, stroke, lowering blood pressure, and protecting blood vessel elasticity.

Restrictions: However, it is important not to overeat sunflower seeds!


4. Pistachios

Benefits: Pistachios primarily contain monounsaturated fatty acids, which make them less prone to rancidity compared to other nuts. They can reduce cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of heart disease.

Restrictions: Eating 10 pistachios at once is equivalent to consuming 1.5 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids. It is not advisable to consume pistachios that have been stored for too long.

5. Peanuts

Benefits: Peanut skins can increase platelet count and have anti-fibrinolytic effects. Therefore, individuals with high blood viscosity should consume peanuts without the skins.

Restrictions: Peanuts have a lower digestion and absorption rate and excessive consumption can burden the gastrointestinal tract, so caution should be exercised.

6. Cashews

Restrictions: Compared to other nuts, cashews have a slightly higher content of saturated fatty acids, accounting for about 20%. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid excessive consumption.

Additionally, cashews contain various allergens, which may cause allergic reactions in individuals with allergies. Therefore, it is best for first-time consumers to avoid consuming too many cashews.

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