Under the name "pine nut" is meant several kinds of edible seeds of pine plants. Sell such nuts in a purified form and they look like small grains of pale yellow with a bright taste, which is revealed even more after roasting. Many are interested in whether pine nuts are good for health, and what substances are included in their composition. The chemical composition of this product is quite rich, since it has 19 different amino acids, vitamins, biological elements and fatty acids.
Useful properties and contra-indications of pine nuts
Since ancient times, people have determined that small nuts are good for health, and today their properties are proven scientifically:
- Included in the composition of arginine is useful for the prevention of atherosclerosis .
- Nuts have nitrogen oxide, which positively affects the activity of the nervous system and normalizes metabolism. They will better cope with stress, insomnia and bad mood. Nuts contribute to the development of intellectual abilities.
- There is in this product zinc, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the prostate gland. This substance activates regenerative processes.
- Various minerals and vitamins in pine nuts are useful for pregnant women. They support the elasticity of the skin, which reduces the risk of stretch marks. The ingredient in arginine is important for the proper formation of the fetus.
- Contribute to nuts normalizing the hormonal background. It is recommended to eat them if there are problems in the thyroid gland.
- Properties of pine nuts are due to the presence of monounsaturated fats, which contribute to lowering cholesterol in the blood, and this reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. The rich chemical composition positively affects the activity of the cardiovascular system.
- Due to the presence of molybdenum, nuts can normalize fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and this substance is important for preventing anemia.
- Male nuts are useful because of their ability to increase potency.
- There are antioxidants in the nuts, which slow down the aging process in the body, as they protect cells from the negative effects of free radicals.
- The composition includes calcium and phosphorus - substances that help strengthen bone tissue and teeth.
- With regular consumption of nuts reduce the risk of neoplasm.
It is worth noting that not only kernels are useful, since cake and husks of pine nuts are widely used in folk medicine. For example, they are used in healing baths to cope with skin diseases and normalize the work of the nervous system. Tincture based on the shell is used in the treatment of osteochondrosis, radiculitis and other joint problems.
There are contraindications to cedar nuts, but there are very few of them. Rarely, but still there is an individual intolerance of the product, which will manifest itself as an allergy. It is not recommended to eat nuts in large quantities, because you will have to feel all the unpleasant symptoms of overeating. It is allowed not more than 30 g. To limit the quantity of consumed nuts is for some diseases of the gallbladder and pancreas. Harm to pine nuts can bring, if they are old and dry, because they can have different harmful substances, including fungus, and this already increases the risk of disorders and poisoning. It should be said that the high caloric content of this product can provoke an increase in weight when consuming nuts in large quantities.