The 20 Health Benefits of Portuguese Chestnuts
According to Eurico Teixeira, the chestnut owes its name to the city of Castana, located in ancient Thessaly, Greece, where it is cultivated on a commercial scale to this day. The Portuguese Chestnut came to Brazil, from the Iberian or Italic Peninsula, where it is also very cultivated and appreciated.
The Portuguese Chestnut is a large tree, about 20 to 30 m high, of great ornamental value. Its crown is rounded and the trunk is smooth when the plant is young, as it ages it becomes cracked on the surface. The leaves are lanceolate, with jagged edges and prominent veins. So, check out now The 20 Health Benefits of Portuguese Chestnuts:
Benefits of Portuguese Nuts For Muscle Health: The proteins present in Portuguese Nuts play an important role in muscle contraction and coordination. Proteins are present in muscle tissues in the form of various microfilaments and provide the muscle structure.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut For Organism: Portuguese Chestnut has an important mineral content, which performs essential functions in the human body, has a significant amount of iron, acts mainly in the synthesis (manufacture) of red blood cells and in the transport of oxygen to all the body’s cells.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut To Increase Immunity: Because it contains a high concentration of vitamin C and other important antioxidants, Portuguese Chestnut is a great food to strengthen the immune system
Vitamin C not only stimulates the production of white blood cells, it also acts as an antioxidant, blocking the action of free radicals before they can harm healthy cells, causing chronic disease and even some types of cancer.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut To Delay Aging: The vitamins E and C present in Portuguese Chestnut act in the body as an antioxidant agent, combating free radicals and delaying aging; the second is important in the defense of the organism against infections and fundamental in the integrity of the walls of the blood vessels.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut To Decrease Cholesterol: Portuguese Chestnut has significant amounts of fiber, in the body it is responsible for increasing the viscosity of the intestinal content and reducing plasma cholesterol, increases the volume of the fecal bolus, reduces transit time in the large intestine and makes faecal elimination easier and faster.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnuts for the Digestive System: In the chestnut world , Portuguese Chestnuts are one of the ones that contain the most fiber in their composition, making it a great choice for those who have gastrointestinal problems. In every 100 grams, 3 are fiber. Fibers help shape the fecal mass, facilitating intestinal transit and regulating peristaltic movements.
Benefits of Portuguese Nuts Against Stress: The Vitamin C present in Portuguese Nuts is capable of causing a decrease in Cortisol levels, a hormone that is stimulated by stress and is responsible for many of its harmful effects.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut To Prevent Inflammation: Portuguese Chestnut has great nutrients that are essential to prevent inflammation in the body. In addition, Portuguese Nuts not only prevent inflammation but also some discomforts, such as constipation and diarrhea. A high fiber diet can also help with nutrient absorption, which means you would be getting even more out of the properties of every food you consume.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut To Accelerate Metabolism: The carbohydrate present in Portuguese Chestnut is composed of two types of starch, amylose and amylopectin. The first is responsible for providing energy and the other for positive effects on bowel functions. In addition to providing energy to perform metabolic functions, there are still other very important functions performed by the nutrient.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut To Improve Brain Function: Portuguese Chestnut has several nutrients that collaborate with brain function and cognition. First, it is rich in B vitamins, substances directly related to neurological development. In addition, the potassium found in chestnuts can improve blood flow in the brain, promoting better nervous system health, favoring concentration and memory.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases: Many chronic diseases are triggered by the action of free radicals, by-products of cellular respiration that can be harmful to our health. Free radicals can cause the cell to mutate, resulting in some cancers, as well as some chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s .
Without antioxidants, such as those found in Portuguese Nuts , our body would be constantly fighting the action of free radicals, so consuming foods rich in antioxidants improves the body’s natural defense.
Benefits of Portuguese Nuts To Reduce Stroke Risk: Our body needs some types of fat that are essential for the body, such as fatty acids, abundant in Portuguese Nuts and most chestnuts . These substances are able to regulate cholesterol, decrease inflammation in the body and prevent blood clots, reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack and other heart diseases.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut to Combat Respiratory Diseases: Most respiratory diseases are associated with inflammation, such as coughs, colds and bronchitis. To improve the overall picture, the use of expectorants is recommended. These Portuguese chestnut benefitscome from its expectorant properties, which can help with respiratory health, preventing and treating some diseases related to inflammation.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut To Lose Weight: To lose weight with health, nothing better than combining an exercise routine with a diet full of nutrients. And for that, there are also Portuguese Chestnut Benefits .
In addition to its high nutrient content, it is one of the nuts that has the most fiber. They are the ones that keep you satisfied for longer and naturally take away your appetite. In addition, the water and minerals in its composition help to control and replenish the loss of electrolytes if you exercise.
Benefits of Portuguese Nuts for Bone Strengthening: Copper and magnesium are essential minerals for bone health, the former helping in the process of iron absorption and the latter increasing the density of bones. In addition to these two minerals, chestnuts are also a source of calcium and phosphorus, which can help with bone growth and development, as well as preventing diseases such as osteoporosis.
Benefits of Portuguese Nuts To Improve Thyroid Function: The thyroid is responsible for the production of thehormonestriodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), for regulating the rhythm at which our body uses energy and for controlling our body’s sensitivity to other hormones. The ellagic acid present inPortuguese Chestnuthelps maintain thyroid functions when someone suffers from hyperthyroidism, as it suppresses hormone secretion, thus bringing control over the thyroid gland.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut For Skin: The Vitamin A present inPortuguese Chestnut helps keep the body free from free radicals and toxins, which can cause damage to yourskin. It helps keep theskinsoft and smooth, ensuring it retains moisture, thus preventing dryness, keratinization andskinsuch as psoriasis.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut To Regulate Hormones: PortugueseChestnuthas an important mineral content, which performs essential functions in the human body, has a significant amount of iron, acts mainly in the synthesis (manufacture) of red blood cells and in the transport of oxygen to every cell in the body.
Minerals are essential nutrients for the functioning of our body. In addition to regulating enzymes and hormones, they participate in the maintenance of heart rhythm, muscle contraction, brain functioning and the balance of the body as a whole. They must be ingested through food, as they are not produced by the body.
Benefits of Portuguese Chestnut During Pregnancy: Pregnant women should consume extra portions of nutritious foods, as they need to offer their baby a good dose of vitamins and minerals that will help in their development. Portuguese Chestnut balances electrolytes in the body, preventing the recurrence of colic, in addition to providing calcium and important vitamins for bones. Its high fiber content can also help prevent constipation , contributing to a healthier intestinal flow.
Benefits of Portuguese Nuts To Provide Energy: The carbohydrate present inPortuguese Nutsis composed of two types of starch, amylose and amylopectin. The first is responsible for providing energy and the other for positive effects onbowel.