Nuts and seeds can not only improve your health, lower your risk to heart disease, but they are also packed with many micro and macronutrients. Certain nuts and seeds can be a power house of good fats, protein and vitamins that can help improve your health.

Health Benefits of Nuts and Seeds

Many nuts are heart healthy. Nuts like almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts and walnuts decrease the LDL cholesterol and control the total cholesterol level in the bod, and can reduce the risk of heart disease dramatically. Other benefits of eating nuts and seeds include:

• Nuts are rich in arginine, antioxidants and vitamin E that can reduce cholesterol levels.
• Nuts contain folic acids that can reduce homocysteine, which induces heart diseases. 
• Magnesium, calcium and potassium in nuts reduce the blood pressure.
• Ellagic acid in nuts is anti-carcinogenic.
• Campesterol and beta-sitosterol can decrease the risk of prostate and breast cancers.
• Arginine in nuts increases immunity and reduces the risk of tumor growth.
• Magnesium can improve the blood flow.
  
• Nuts like almonds contain plant sterols and flavonoids like naringenin and catechin which are effective antioxidants. Almonds are also rich source of magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, riboflavin, copper and vitamin E. Almonds helps to reduce body weight.
• Nuts like almonds and walnuts can help lower blood pressure, body fat and body mass index (BMI).
  
• Walnuts are rich in nutrients and are the main source of omega-3 fatty acids. This can reduce cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, and even enhance cognitive function. Omega-3 fats supply nutrients to brain cells and enhance their growth. Omega-3 fats can also help to reduce disorders in sleeping, behavior and learning, commonly found in children.

About the Author 

Jeff Behar, MS, MBA