10 Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts may not be as popular as other nuts such as almonds, cashews, or peanuts. In fact, these nuts also have benefits that are not less important. What are the health benefits of Brazil nuts for the body? Check out the full details below

Brazil Nuts Nutrient Contents

Brazil nuts or Brazil nuts are a type of nut that comes from a tree called Bertholletia excelsa. The Bertholletia excelsa tree itself is an endemic plant of the Amazon forest, the largest rainforest in the world, most of which is in the territory of Brazil.

Just like other nuts, Brazil nuts also have various benefits for the body. This cannot be separated from the nutritional content in it, namely:

• Water (3.42 g).
• Calories (659 kcal).
• Protein (14.32 g).
• Total fat (67.1 g).
• Total carbohydrates (11.74 g).
• Dietary fiber (7.5 g).
• Sugar (2.33 g).
• Calcium (160 mg).
• Magnesium (376 mg).
• Phosphorus (725 mg).
• Potassium (659 mg).
• Selenium (1917 g).
• Sodium (3 mg).
• Iron (2.43 mg).
• Zinc (4.06 mg).
• Copper (1,743 mg).
• Manganese (1,233 mg).
• Vitamin B6 (0.1 mg).
• Vitamin C (0.7 mg).
• Vitamin E (5.65 mg).

Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts

Eating Brazil nuts will bring a number of benefits to the body. Here are the various health benefits of Brazil nuts that you can get, including:

1. Overcome Inflammation

Overcome or prevent Inflammation in the body is one of the health benefits of Brazil nuts . This is possible because peanuts contain a mineral in the form of selenium.

According to research, selenium has an important role in producing an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Now, This GPx enzyme is responsible for overcoming inflammation and protecting the body from oxidative stress.

Not only overcome, these nuts are also effective to help prevent your body from experiencing inflammation. A study revealed that in people who consumed 20-50 grams of Brazil nuts protected from the threat of inflammation in the body.

2. Energy Source

Brazil nuts are a source of energy for the body. Yes, this benefit because these nuts contain substances that indeed act as ‘fuel’ for the body. The substances in question are:

• Calories, totaling 659 Kcal.
• Protein, amounting to 14.32 gr.
• Sugar, totaling 2.33 gr.

Consuming these nuts at times such as breakfast is highly recommended so that your body becomes more stamina so that it can carry out activities smoothly.

3. Increases Endurance

Increase endurance is one of the health benefits of Brazil nuts. The benefits of Brazil nuts can not be separated from the selenium content it has.

According to research, selenium has a crucial role in helping to optimize the body’s immune system. In addition, this mineral also works to help the production of body cells.

4. Increase Mood

The selenium content in it is also believed to help improve mood. Based on a number of studies, low selenium intake has an impact on decreasing the quality of mood which is characterized by a number of symptoms such as stress, anxiety, to depression.

Now, for those of you who are experiencing bad mood’ maybe you can try eating this type of nuts to improve mood. Indeed, it is not certain how effective Brazil nuts are in increasing mood. However, it can’t hurt to give it a try, right?

5. Caring for the Health and Function of the Thyroid Gland

Still from the selenium content it has, another health benefits of Brazil nuts that you should also know is that it can treat the thyroid gland.

As is known, the thyroid requires a lot of selenium intake to function properly. Selenium deficiency has the potential to cause these glands to damage.

This is in line with a study which says that selenium deficiency can lead to a number of thyroid gland problems such as:

• Hypothyroidism.
• Thyroiditis.
• Enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Therefore, consuming Brazil nuts is highly recommended to maintain daily selenium intake. One Brazil nut is enough to meet the daily selenium needs.

6. Improve Brain Function

Eating Brazil nuts are also claimed to help maintain and improve brain function. Again, this is because nuts contain selenium. In fact, selenium is a substance that is an antioxidant.

Antioxidants are one of the substances that the brain needs to function optimally and avoid various health problems.

According to research, a person who regularly consumes nuts is said to have an increased brain function. Conversely, someone who does not eat nuts is claimed to have a higher risk of developing brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

7. Maintain Heart Health

Brazil nuts are enriched with healthy fats, as well as a number of other important substances such as fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. The presence of these substances is then believed to be able to maintain the health of the heart organs so that the risk of these organs getting disease can be minimized.

Based on research, these nuts play a role in lowering levels of LDL fat aka ‘bad’ cholesterol and vice versa, increasing levels of HDL fat aka ‘good’ cholesterol.

As is known, ‘bad’ cholesterol is one of the main triggers for heart disease. Therefore, be diligent in eating these nuts if you want a healthy heart.

8. Prevents Cancer

Another amazing health benefits of Brazil nuts is to prevent—or at least minimize—the risk of cancer. This is none other than the content of antioxidants in these nuts such as selenium and vitamin C.

As antioxidants, they play an important role in protecting body cells from damage caused by free radicals. The reason is, these free radicals are the cause of damaged body cells that lead to cancer.

Read More: What is Superfood and Their Health Benefits? Here are The 5 Lists

9. Controlling Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetics are also advised to eat these nuts if you want blood sugar (glucose) to be controlled. This also applies to those of you whose blood sugar levels are still within normal limits so as to prevent yourself from getting diabetes.

According to a study published in European Journal of Nutrition, consuming these nuts every day for 8 weeks is effective for keeping glucose levels within normal limits. So, start to include Brazil nuts in the list of healthy daily menu, yes.

10. Treatment of Kidney Failure

The last of the health benefits of Brazil nuts for the body discussed this time is to help treat kidney failure. Yes, a study succeeded in finding the fact that these nuts can be used as supportive therapy in patients with kidney failure.

The content of these nuts is effective in increasing levels of the GPx enzyme so that it has an impact on reducing inflammation in the kidneys. This is certainly important so that the healing process can run faster.

How to Eat Delicious Brazil Nuts?

You can eat these nuts directly. However, there are a number of other ways of consuming it that you can also apply, for example by mixing it in salads.

Be sure to wash the nuts thoroughly before consuming or processing them.

Whichever way you want, one thing is for sure, consume these nuts regularly so that the benefits can really be felt. May be useful!