Health benefits of hazel nuts

Health benefits of hazel nuts

Hazel nuts were first cultivated in China around 5000 years ago, although they are said to have first originated in parts of Asia. Hazel trees are known to grow from a main stem, but more often take the form of a multi stemmed shrub favouring dry, slightly alkaline soil. The nuts of the hazel tree become rip around the end of August and have been used as a main component of many health remedies since pagan times.

Top 6 benefits:

• Good source of B vitamins - Our bodies use B vitamins to help absorb proteins, fats and carbs and convert them into energy, vitamin B also plays a key role in the health of our nervous system

• Improve digestive health - Eating hazelnuts regularly helps to stimulate the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol.

• Strong healthy bones - Hazel nuts are a rich source of both magnesium and manganese, both of which help us to form strong healthy bones. This can be especially useful for post Post-menopausa women.

• Help to prevent some forms of cancer - Studies have shown that hazel nuts contain a type of vitamin E known as alpha-tocopherol, this powerful vitamin could cut the risk of bladder cancer in half.

• Improved cardiovascular health - Hazel nuts are packed full of unsaturated fats, in paticular one known as oleic acid that is shown to lower LDL also known as ‘bad cholesterol’ while promoting good cholesterol throughout the body.

• Strong muscles - The magnesium found in hazel nuts helps to regulate calcium supply to our muscels According to one Italian study, higher magnesium levels also increased the strength of the muscles.

Where and when to find hazel nuts?

Hazel nuts come into season towards the end of August here in the UK but can be gathered right up until mid November, store collected nuts in a cool dark area and they should last for over a year. If getting out in the woods isn't your thing hazel nuts are readily available in supermarkets and health stores alike, if you know of any benefits we haven't mentioned please drop us a comment below.

Follow Eden Nuganics's board Hazel Tree on Pinterest.