It’s a shame that we only tend to get the nutcrackers out at Christmas, because freshly shelled nuts contain loads of nutrients. Take walnuts, for example. Making them part of a balanced diet can help counteract the damage to arteries caused by fatty food as they contain a nutrient called arginine that helps the body produce nitric oxide, essential for keeping blood vessels flexible. Walnuts also contain a form of omega 3 essential fatty acid not found in olive oil.
Other nutritious nuts include Almonds (high in protein, iron, calcium, vitamin E, zinc, and vitamin B2). Brazil nuts are one of the richest natural sources of selenium, vital for healthy thyroid hormone metabolism. Hazlenuts are high in fibre, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E2. Remember, though, that nuts are quite high in fat, albeit good, so don’t go too mad! (Nat Health News Dec 08)