There are many foods that can help boost brain function in our daily lives, especially dried fruits such as peanuts, pine nuts, and cashews. These are all familiar brain-boosting foods, but they each have their own dietary restrictions when consumed.
1. Peanuts
Peanuts are rich in high-quality protein, fats, and various micronutrients.
Benefits and restrictions: Peanuts play an important role in adjusting people's nutritional balance, especially for children. Scientists have recently discovered that peanuts contain a large amount of arginine and resveratrol. The former has potential anti-tuberculosis effects, and the latter can inhibit the infiltration and spread of cancer cells. Therefore, peanuts are a good dietary supplement for tuberculosis patients and tumor patients. However, the skin of peanuts can increase platelet count and have an anti-fibrinolytic effect, so it is advisable for people with high blood viscosity to remove the skin before consumption. In addition, peanuts have a low digestion and absorption rate, and excessive consumption can burden the gastrointestinal tract, so caution should be exercised.
2. Pine nuts
Pine nuts are known as the "longevity fruit".
Benefits and restrictions: Pine nuts contain protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Most of the fats they contain are beneficial essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid and linolenic acid. They are also rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other nutrients. Eating pine nuts regularly can nourish the body. However, pine nuts stored for a long time can become rancid and should not be consumed. People with poor gallbladder function should also be cautious when eating pine nuts.
3. Cashews
Cashews have a fat content of 47% and a protein content of 22%.
Benefits and restrictions: Compared with other nuts, cashews have a slightly higher content of unfavorable saturated fatty acids, accounting for about 20%. Therefore, excessive consumption should be avoided. In addition, cashews contain various allergens, which may cause allergic reactions in people with allergies. Therefore, it is best for first-time cashew eaters to start with a small amount and wait for about ten minutes before consuming more if no allergic reactions occur.
4. Chestnuts
Chestnuts are beneficial for the auxiliary treatment of kidney deficiency and are also known as the "fruit of the kidneys".
Benefits and restrictions: Chestnuts are rich in soft dietary fiber, so they can be consumed in moderation by diabetes patients. However, raw chestnuts are difficult to digest, and cooked chestnuts can cause bloating, so they should not be consumed in large quantities at once. It is best to treat chestnuts as snacks between meals or incorporate them into dishes, rather than consuming a large amount after a meal, as this can lead to excessive calorie intake and hinder weight management. Fresh chestnuts are prone to mold and spoilage, and eating moldy chestnuts can cause poisoning, so rotten chestnuts should not be eaten.
5. Walnuts
Walnuts are known as the "king" of antioxidants.
Benefits and restrictions: The American Dietetic Association recommends eating walnuts two to three times a week, especially for the elderly 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. However, excessive consumption can affect digestion. Some people like to remove the brown skin on the surface of walnuts, but this can lead to a loss of nutrients, so it is advisable not to remove this skin.
6. Sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are one of the best seeds among melon seeds and are rich in nutrients.
Benefits and restrictions: Eating a handful of sunflower seeds every day can provide the daily requirement of vitamin E for the body. The protein in sunflower seeds is comparable to various meats, especially in terms of the essential amino acid arginine, which is crucial for the production of semen. Regular consumption of sunflower seeds has a certain effect on preventing coronary heart disease, stroke, reducing blood pressure, and protecting blood vessel elasticity. Medical experts believe that sunflower seeds can treat insomnia, enhance memory, and have certain effects on preventing cancer, high blood pressure, and nervous exhaustion.
7. Pistachios
Pistachios can be considered as friends of the heart. They mainly contain monounsaturated fatty acids, so they do not spoil easily like other nuts and can reduce cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Benefits and restrictions: Eating 10 pistachios is equivalent to consuming 1.5 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids. Pistachios that have been stored for too long should not be consumed. Pistachios are high in calories and fat, so those who are concerned about weight gain or have high blood lipids should consume them in moderation.
8. Sweet Almonds
Sweet almonds contain 50% fat, 25% protein, 10% carbohydrates, as well as vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, boron, potassium, and other elements.
Benefits and restrictions: Coronary heart disease patients who regularly eat almonds have a 50% lower chance of developing angina pectoris compared to those who do not. Almonds have the ability to regulate insulin and blood sugar levels, making them a dietary supplement for reducing glucose tolerance and managing diabetes. The boron and calcium in almonds also have certain benefits for preventing osteoporosis in menopausal women.
9. Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are nutritious and contain all eight essential amino acids needed by the body, with higher content compared to walnuts.
Benefits and restrictions: Hazelnuts also have higher levels of calcium, phosphorus, and iron compared to other nuts. They have been considered a precious fruit since ancient times due to their rich nutrition and sweet taste. Hazelnuts have a neutral nature and a sweet taste, and they have the effects of replenishing qi, invigorating the spleen, stopping diarrhea, improving eyesight, and expelling worms.
10. Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds have the effects of killing insects and treating prostate diseases.
Benefits and restrictions: Research in the United States has found that consuming about 50 grams of pumpkin seeds per day can effectively prevent prostate diseases and prostate cancer. Pumpkin seeds contain rich pantothenic acid, which can relieve stable angina and have a hypotensive effect. However, it is important not to consume too many at once. There have been reports of dizziness caused by excessive consumption of pumpkin seeds. They are most suitable for people with hypertension, but people with stomach heat should consume them in moderation, as they may cause abdominal distension.
