As the weather turns cold, naturally, one food that comes to mind is the chestnut. Wrapped in a spiky husk, chestnuts can be enjoyed raw or cooked in various ways. Their sweet flavor makes them a popular ingredient in processed foods, and they’re also mixed with white rice for a delicious meal. Roasted chestnuts, in particular, are a treat best enjoyed in the colder months. Besides their delicious taste, chestnuts also provide various health benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of chestnuts.
Vascular Health
According to data from the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, chestnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which the body cannot produce on its own. This means that, like olive oil, which is commonly consumed for health benefits, chestnuts can help maintain vascular health. They can reduce levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, which can stick to the blood vessels, thereby alleviating symptoms of narrowed or blocked blood vessels. They can potentially help prevent vascular diseases such as heart disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
Anti-Aging
Chestnuts are also a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C-rich chestnuts can help slow down aging and prevent oxidation in the body through antioxidant processes. They are also beneficial in protecting and repairing skin cells damaged by ultraviolet rays, and they can potentially suppress skin tumors. They can aid collagen production and inhibit melanin production, thus preventing freckles and blemishes.
Eye Health
The vitamin A in chestnuts can also contribute to eye health. Vitamin A is a nutrient that helps relieve eye fatigue and improve vision. Consuming plenty of vitamin A through chestnuts can not only contribute to eye health but also potentially help prevent and enhance eye diseases such as cataracts and night blindness. It can also be beneficial when vision naturally weakens due to aging, especially for students who often strain their eyes.
Strengthening the Immune System
The immune system is the body’s defense mechanism against harmful elements that invade and cause damage. Chestnuts are rich in saccharides and lipids, which can help strengthen the immune system. Also, the inner skin of the chestnut, known as the pellicle, can contribute to skin health. It is rich in tannins, which can induce pore contraction. Making a pack with powdered pellicle can help shrink pores and remove dead skin cells.
Fatigue Recovery
The abundant vitamin C in chestnuts has the effect of helping to break down alcohol. On days when you have a severe hangover, it can help relieve it. Chestnuts can also help recover from fatigue and prevent colds. This is thanks to the vitamin B1 contained in chestnuts. Chestnuts contain about four times more vitamin B1 than rice. Vitamins C and D, which can be expected to enhance immunity, can also bring about the effect of fatigue recovery.
Cognitive Enhancement
The potassium in chestnuts can help increase blood circulation. This, in turn, can help maintain brain health. Through the antioxidants in chestnuts, one can expect to protect and activate brain neurons, leading to improved memory, concentration, and cognitive abilities. Significantly, the pellicle of raw chestnuts is rich in antioxidants, and the bitter-tasting pellicle is known to help prevent cancer and dementia.
Blood Sugar Control
Chestnuts are a good food for those who are in the pre-diabetic stage or who have diabetes. These individuals risk increasing the likelihood of complications if they have high blood sugar levels persistently, which can lead to damage to blood vessels and organs. Chestnuts are a food that can help control blood sugar. Although chestnuts have a higher carbohydrate content than other nuts, they are also fiber-rich, which can prevent spikes in blood sugar. The gallic acid and ellagic acid abundant in chestnuts can also help manage blood sugar levels.
Gastrointestinal Health
Those who often struggle with digestion may benefit from regularly eating raw chestnuts. Raw chestnuts have the effect of calming an upset stomach, and the sugar in chestnuts can warm the stomach after diarrhea or vomiting. The sugars in chestnuts enhance gastrointestinal function, and when you have severe indigestion, they can alleviate symptoms and aid digestion. They are also good to eat when you have severe motion sickness, as raw chestnuts can help stop motion sickness.
Muscle Building During Exercise
Chestnuts are a good food for those trying to shape their bodies through exercise or diet. One of the nutrients that exercisers need to pay the most attention to is protein, and chestnuts are rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and calcium. Eating chestnuts can help build and grow muscles. Although chestnuts are sweet, they have very little fat and are rich in dietary fiber that gives a feeling of fullness so that they can stave off hunger with a small amount.
Bone Density Increase
Bone density refers to the amount of bone. A high bone density means the bone is strong, and a low bone density means the bone is thin and weak. Low bone density can lead to frequent fractures, significantly affecting the lumbar spine, hip joint, and wrist bones. Chestnuts are rich in potassium, which can increase bone density. Especially for the middle-aged and elderly, they can expect to prevent osteoporosis, which can also help children’s growth during their growth period.
By. Choi Deok Soo
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