Walnuts
Walnuts have many health benefits. They are known to show detoxifying, laxative, and anti-diabetic effects. Even though walnuts are widely used, their origin is unknown. There are some records suggesting that they originate from the Mediterranean, but it is also suggested they came from the East.
Walnut contains 7-10% of carbohydrates, 63% of fat, 17.8% of proteins, a low percentage of water, and 7.8% of dietary fiber. It also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, and PP. Walnuts have minerals as well: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and iron. Due to their high level of fat, the energy value of 100g of walnuts is 350-680kcal.
The most significant elements walnuts contain are Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. The consumption of only a few walnuts per day significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Even though they are rich in fats, walnuts mainly contain monounsaturated fats, known for their ability to reduce levels of blood cholesterol and prevent oxidation of LDL (also known as bad cholesterol), thereby preventing its deposition in the artery walls and formatting plaque.
Since walnuts are very rich in dietary fiber and monounsaturated fatty acids, they are recommended for diabetics too, because they can help decrease the level of cholesterol and prevent angiopathy.