Nowadays when people worry about their health, nutritious and medicinal foods are searched and made available in the market. Medicinal foods are now prepared deliciously and pleasing to the consumers’ taste. Since many diseases are evolving now, people have no other choice but to take in foods that can help them get well and be healthy.
Pine nuts are one of the foods that proved to be beneficial to people. They are believed to lower down cholesterol levels in the blood. These nuts are good for the heart and are good source of nutrients and minerals. Pine nuts came from pine trees. These nuts are actually seeds of pine trees. They are coated with tough dark brown shell. Its scientific name is Pinus pinea. These nuts can be munched raw, and can as well be included in salads and any delicacies. Pine nut oil is used in cooking and in salad dressings. With these foods, people will no longer have problems with the taste and will surely enjoy what they are eating at the same time takes in nutrients and vitamins.
Pine nuts are known to have numerous health benefits. These nuts are rich in health promoting phyto-chemicals. They are known to be good source of antioxidants. They are packed with calories, minerals, and vitamins. The caloric content of pine nuts is products of their fats. These fats lower bad cholesterol since these are mono-unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid. These fats also add good cholesterol in the blood. Thus, pine nuts can lower down cases of strokes and coronary artery disease when included in the diet.
Pine nuts promote weight loss. It is rich in pinolenic acid which curbs the appetite. Pinolenic acid stimulates enzymes of hunger suppressant such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and cholecystokinin. In addition, pine nuts are good source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is helpful in maintaining the mucus membranes integrity. It is an influential lipid soluble antioxidant. It protects the skin from destructive oxygen free radicals.
Furthermore, pine nuts are rich in vitamin B complex. They are good source of thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folates, and pantothenic acid. Vitamin B complex is vital during cellular substrate metabolism.
Like other nuts, pine nuts can be prepared for individuals with celiac disease and wheat food allergy. These nuts are gluten free. To add, pine nuts can help resist infectious agents since they are rich in minerals such as potassium, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, manganese, and calcium. Pines are known to contain more manganese. They are believed to be the richest source of manganese. Manganese is a co-factor for antioxidant enzymes.
Hypersensitivity to pine nuts occur less frequently than allergy to tree nuts or other nuts. Allergy to pine nuts may occur if the individual is very much sensitive. Allergic reactions include itching, breathing difficulty, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Cross reactions can possibly occur when pine nuts are eaten together with cashew nuts, mango, pistachio nuts, and the like. Proper caution is needed upon taking these nuts. Immediately consult the physician when these reactions occur to prevent detrimental incidents.