The walnut tree is one of the oldest trees in the world. Its fruits, the walnuts, are very healthy for our body and also a real brainfood.
Walnuts contain a lot of fat, but these are unsaturated fatty acids and therefore healthy fats. Thus they have a positive effect on our heart. But they also keep our brain fit due to the vitamins they contain.
The origin, properties and history of walnut
The walnut tree originated in Asia and is one of the oldest trees on earth. It is assumed that it already existed in the Ice Age. Archaeologists assume that the Stone Age people collected walnuts for survival in case there was no hunting prey. In the Neolithic period, the walnut was considered a symbol of fertility by the Romans and Greeks.
A walnut tree can grow up to 30 meters high. The fruits, i.e. the walnuts, are surrounded by a green shell, which usually bursts open by itself when the nut is ripe. Usually the nuts are ripe at the end of September and beginning of October. Once they break free from the shell, they can be picked up from the ground. The taste of the walnut is sweetish to slightly bitter. The walnut is cultivated worldwide in temperate climates. Here in Germany, the walnut is mainly found in the south in the wine-growing regions. Therefore, we obtain our walnuts mainly from the USA and France.
The ingredients of the walnut
The walnut has a fat content of 60 % and is therefore very high in calories. On 100 g walnuts come 674 kcal. Although the nut is very fatty, it is important to remember that these are healthy fats. Because it has monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega‑3 fatty acids. Compared to other nuts, walnuts contain by far the highest amount of omega‑3 fatty acids.
In addition to healthy fats, the nut also contains vitamins of the B group and vitamin E. Other important ingredients are also zinc, magnesium, iron, potassium and calcium.
The effect of walnuts on our body
It has long been known that nuts are healthy. But why is that so? Walnuts have many healthy ingredients that have a positive effect on many areas of our body, such as the heart and brain.
Walnuts have a very positive effect on our heart. On the one hand, this is due to the omega‑3 fatty acids they contain. These can prevent calcification of the arteries and thus reduce the risk of a heart attack. On the other hand, regular consumption of walnuts can prevent cardiovascular diseases, because walnuts lower the cholesterol level. This keeps the blood vessels flexible and our blood can flow better through the body.
Walnuts are good for the brain. Thanks to the contained vitamin B, the consumption of nuts promotes concentration, lowers stress levels and provides energy. In addition, our mental and motor skills are improved and the brain is protected from a decline in performance in old age.
Walnuts can reduce the risk of cancer. The emphasis is on “can”, because there is not yet sufficient research in this regard. However, the fact is that walnuts contain polyphenol. Polyphenols help the body regenerate. In addition, the body converts polyphenols into ellagic acid, which in turn has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Walnuts support muscle building. As already mentioned, the nuts contain healthy fats and carbohydrates. In addition, they are a vegetable source of protein, because they provide the body with a lot of protein. Walnuts are very healthy, but you should not overdo it and stick to the recommended daily amount of eight whole walnuts.
Walnuts in the kitchen
The healthy nuts can be used very versatile in the kitchen. You can enjoy them raw or roasted, in salads, pasta, bread, cakes, as a snack or topping. Walnut ice cream is also particularly delicious. In addition, they are also available as oil, liqueur, liquor or nut water. Basically, it can be said that walnuts round off specialties, such as honey or cheese.
Walnut storage
Walnuts like it cool and dark, such as in the cellar. They keep like this for months. It is best to store them in a mesh bag so that they still get air.
If you go to pick up the walnuts themselves, so they should be very well dried before storage.
You can recognize bad walnuts by their smell and appearance. These smell rancid and have dark to black discolorations. In this case, the bad ones must be sorted out from the good ones, as they may contain toxic molds.