11 Amazing Health Benefits of Pine Nuts

Pine Nuts health benefits includes boosting energy, curbing appetite, managing diabetes, supporting cardiovascular health, supporting psychological health, strengthening bones and boosting immune system. Other benefits includes improving eyesight, supporting weight loss, enhancing skin and treating scalp problems.

Nutritionists favored pine nuts due to their high content of minerals and vitamins, which play an important role to improve your overall health. Pine nuts can be a safe source to keep your body energized; consuming a handful of nuts will result in improved concentration throughout the day. Moreover, incorporating them into your diet also wards off factors that contribute to psychological and eye-health.

What are Pine Nuts?

Pine nuts are obtained from a pine tree that belongs to Pinaceae, genus Pinus family. The nuts are hard and contain similar fat content like almonds. Pine cuts go through a procedure containing several steps to become edible. It begins with the maturation of pine cone, and then harvesting is performed by placing matured cones in a burlap bag and exposing them to the sunlight. This procedure lasts up to 20 days. Moreover, North America and Asia are the common producers of pine nuts across the world.

Nutritional Value of Pine Nuts

• Calcium 6mg
• Iron 5mg
• Phosphorus                     776mg
• Potassium 806mg
• Sodium 27 mg
• Zinc                                 7mg
• Manganese 9 mg
• Copper 8mg
• Selenium 9mg
• Sugar  1g
• Saturated Fat 1g
• Sodium 1mg
• Protein 4g
• Total Carbohydrate 4g
• Vitamin A 1IU
• Vitamin C 1mg
• Vitamin B6                        1mg
• Vitamin E 6mg
• Vitamin K                 8mcg
• Niacin 9mg
• Riboflavin 3mg
• Folate 9mcg

11 Amazing Health Benefits of Pine Nuts

1. Pine Nut Boosts Energy

Pine nuts are loaded with countless beneficial properties such as protein, iron, and monounsaturated fats. You can find magnesium in the nuts as well and when consumed regularly, these compounds boost your energy levels. Magnesium is said to be an effective source to ward off fatigue preventing factors that are associated with it. Moreover, pine nuts function to rejuvenate damaged tissues in your body that also help increase energy levels.

2. It Curbs Appetite

Studies have proved that certain fatty acids found in the nuts curb your appetite. The fatty acids help release cholecystokinin – a hormone. According to nutritionists, the hormone is necessary to suppress increased appetite. Moreover, many studies have also concluded that pinolenic acid found in the nuts is potent enough to keep you full for longer hours and this is why nutritionists have declared it, an incredible satiety agent.

3. For Diabetics

The pine nuts are safe to consume for people with type-II diabetes. Moderate consumption of the nuts can control glucose and can reduce levels of bad cholesterol that might contribute to your cardiovascular health. Moreover, diabetics have few snack options, being enriched with nutrients and containing almost zero bad fats, munching a handful of pine nuts are healthy for diabetics.

4. For Cardiovascular Health

You can consume nuts to improve your cardiovascular health without worrying about its adverse effects. The wondrous nuts are a powerhouse of manganese, magnesium, monounsaturated fat, Vitamin E and K; together these minerals and vitamins function to protect your heart from various daunting diseases allowing proper blood flow to your arteries. Pine nuts are also considered a safe source to widen you narrow arteries that contribute to blood clotting.

5. For Psychological Health

Pine nuts are one of the few foods that are essential to maintain psychological health. A handful of nuts are can do wonders for your brain without hurting your health. They are loaded with iron – a mineral that is necessary to transport oxygen throughout your body including the brain. A number of studies have supported that pine puts can help lower anxiety, stress, and depression levels due to the compound, Magnesium found in them. When consumed regularly, magnesium can control further emotional disorders as well.

6. It Strengthens Bones

After calcium, you need Vitamin K to keep your bones strong. According to a recent study, high content of vitamin K in your body can prevent your bones from falling prey to osteoporosis. It is widely used in medication to treat osteoporosis and other bone problems, making them denser. When your bones are dense, you will less likely be prone to fractures. And to your surprise, pine nuts contain vitamin K and are a delicious option to strengthen your bones.

7. For Immune System

Your immune system does a great job to keep your body unaffected by infectious bacteria, free radicals, etc. So, you need to consume foods that can boost your immunity like pine nuts. Apart from other nutrients, you can enrich your body with Zinc and manganese by consuming pine nuts. Both compounds are potent enough to boost your immune system that will result in strengthening connective tissues and balanced hormones. Moreover, a strong immune system is also function to destroy bacteria, cancerous cells, and toxins that may affect your body organs adversely.

8. It Improves Eyesight

If you wish to get rid of your glasses, start incorporating foods that contain lutein, like pine nuts. The antioxidant is also called an eye vitamin. When consumed regularly, lutein functions to improve weakened eyesight. Many studies have also revealed that lutein is also essential to ward off factors associated with macular degeneration and cataracts – that you can get plenty of only by munching a handful of pine nuts.

9. For Weight Loss

Being a satiety agent, pine nuts are effective when it comes to shedding some extra pounds. The nuts have the potential to curb your appetite due to the pinolenic acid. Moreover, the fatty acids function to burn belly fat. A study revealed that you should try replacing saturated fats with pine nuts as it helps lose weight faster without making extra efforts such as strict diet or hardcore workout particularly to burn belly fat.

10. For Skin

Your skin reveals the diet you consume hence, make food choices wisely. Therefore, incorporating pine nuts into your diet is a smart choice. The nuts are a powerhouse of various minerals and vitamins that work to improve the condition of your skin. Consuming a healthy diet is as important as following a skincare routine. Beauty products alone cannot provide desired results unless you opt for a balanced diet.

11. For Hair

Like skin, the case is similar to hair. Consuming pine nuts can help treat various scalp problems that result in dry and damaged strands. Regular consumption of nuts can nourish hair follicles that will impede hair fall as well.

Bottom Line

Pine nuts are indeed miraculous nuts that you can consume to ward-off various health problems including your skin and hair. Thus, incorporate them into your diet and embrace a healthy body.