The benefits and harms of hazelnuts

Hazelnut is a cultivated form of the hazel nut, the genus Hazel (Corilus), the Birch family. Man has been cultivating hazel for more than 2 millennia. Hazelnuts originate from the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts. Its name is a modified Greek word “pontikos” – “Black Sea”.

Hazelnut is a woody shrub with dark green oval or heart-shaped leaves that acquire a yellow-red decorative color in autumn. The height of the shrub, depending on the variety, reaches 3-5 m, the crown can be artificially formed, reducing its height.

Hazelnut inflorescences are heterosexual, male ones appear on the shrub in early spring, even before the leaves appear, they look like earrings. Female inflorescences are inconspicuous, similar to growth buds. Hazelnut blossoms in early spring, when the average air temperature reaches +12°C. Male and female inflorescences bloom at different times, so the plants may not pollinate, which will cause a sharp decrease in yield. To prevent this from happening, several varieties of hazelnuts are planted, ideally at least 10 bushes. They will pollinate each other, which will give a guaranteed harvest. Additional cross-pollination will provide wind and insects.

The fruit of the nut ripens in autumn – this is a kernel enclosed in a hard shell. From above it is wrapped with a sheet plush. The kernel consists of 2 cotyledons, covered with an easily removable shell.

If hazelnuts are propagated vegetatively, it bears fruit already for 3-4 years of life. Productivity grows up to 10-35 years, reaching 5-10 kg per bush. The total lifespan of a plant can be 100 years or more.

Composition and calorie content

When compared with the calorie content of meat and fish, hazelnuts are superior in nutritional value to these products, although they contain less carbohydrates. It achieves high calorie values ​​due to the proteins and fats contained in its composition. To get the daily calorie intake, it is enough for a person to eat only 200 g of hazelnuts.

Calorie table of hazelnuts prepared in different ways (per 100 grams of product):

Table of nutritional value of hazelnuts prepared in different ways (per 100 grams of product):

Table of vitamins contained in hazelnuts per 100 g:

Table of minerals, per 100 g:

Other important connections:

• Phytosterols — 116 mg (210,9% of RDI)

• Purine — 13 mg (10% of RDI)

• Oxalic acid — 222 mg (55,5% of RDI)

Benefits of hazelnuts

The rich and valuable components of hazelnuts have long attracted people who use hazelnuts, both as food and as a medicine.

Nutrients and their value:

• Vitamin E – has a positive effect on reproductive function, is an antioxidant. Its nut contains 117% of the daily norm;

• B vitamins – are responsible for the functioning of the muscular and cardiovascular systems;

• Omega-3 fatty acids – provide the tone of the vascular walls, prevent the appearance of cholesterol plaques;

• Pacletasel – a substance that helps prevent the formation of malignant tumors;

• Micro and macro elements (zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium) – strengthen bone tissue.

Both children and adults can get many valuable health benefits from eating hazelnuts. Hazelnuts are especially useful for pregnant women.

Hazelnut during pregnancy

• By including hazelnuts in your diet, it is much easier to control weight during pregnancy, while getting the necessary components from food.

• Hazelnuts have a positive effect on the formation of the central nervous system of the future baby, his skeletal system.

• The use of hazel will allow the use of fewer medications to increase immunity, the woman will be less tired.

Hazelnut for men

Representatives of the stronger sex will find many valuable qualities in hazelnuts:

• Phytosterol, which is part of the nut, is used to prevent prostatitis, effectively prevents the development of atherosclerosis, and reduces blood cholesterol levels.

• Hazelnut well replenishes energy reserves expended during physical effort.

• The protein in the nut kernels helps build muscle mass.

• Hazelnuts, like other nuts, are useful for the male reproductive system, it promotes the implementation of erectile function, increases the duration of sexual contact.

Hazelnut for women

Positive qualities of hazelnut:

• Improves the quality of breast milk, which after eating nuts becomes more nutritious, satisfying. It is important not to exceed the daily intake of hazelnuts.

• Nut oil in combination with the yolk of a chicken egg makes hair shiny, healthy, thick and lush, enriching them with vitamins and microelements.

• Walnut helps to cleanse the skin from manifestations of the inflammatory process (acne, boils, acne, etc.).

• Hazelnut contributes to the restoration of reproductive function in infertility.

Hazelnut for children

Nuts have always attracted children as a treat. Hazelnut is used as an immunomodulator, stimulates the development of the nervous, musculoskeletal system, replenishing nutrient reserves. The use of nuts normalizes fat metabolism in children, helps to get rid of flatulence. For these purposes, you can drink nut milk, for the preparation of which 100 g of ground nuts are mixed with milk, adding honey and vanillin for taste.

The maximum norm for children is no more than 10 nuts per day, it is better not to give them to babies under 3 years old.

Противопоказания

Hazelnut is contraindicated in patients with chronic diseases of the digestive system. Overeating this nut is fraught with gaining excess weight, nausea, headache, and vasospasm.

The beneficial properties of hazelnuts

Hazelnut damage

If you consume nuts in excessive quantities, instead of benefiting, they will only bring negative sensations. The maximum allowable daily intake of hazelnuts is 50-60 g. The consequences of nut abuse are a negative effect on the liver and stomach, intense headache due to substances contained in hazelnuts that cause vasospasm. Hazelnuts are used with caution in case of allergies, diabetes.

Where is hazelnut used?

Application in cooking. Hazelnuts lose most of their valuable qualities after cleaning them from the inner shell, rich in vitamins and minerals. Therefore, in cooking and confectionery production, the nut is crushed along with it. Then hazelnuts are added to cakes and pastries, ice cream and chocolate, sweets, cream and confectionery rolls.

Adding nuts to meat dishes, appetizers and sauces adds spice to dishes. In cooking, both raw and roasted nuts are used, they can be whole and crushed.

A nut mixture with the addition of honey, goat’s milk, dried fruits is very useful. It is tasty and healing – it increases muscle tone, stimulates blood circulation, normalizes blood pressure, relieves stress.

In medicine. For treatment, not only the kernel of the nut is used, but also its shell, bark and leaves of the plant. Ground shell tincture helps in the treatment of low blood pressure, hemorrhoids, ulcers, colitis, fibroids.

Healing recipes:

• Decoction for the prevention of prostatitis. The shell from 2 kg of nuts is poured with three liters of water and boiled for 3 minutes. Then the broth is infused for 4 hours in a steam bath, after cooling it is filtered. The result is 2 liters of light brown liquid without color and odor, which must be stored in the refrigerator. Within 2 months, you should use 2 tbsp. l. in a day. After a two-month break, the treatment is repeated.

• Hazel leaves contain carotene, alkaloids, essential oil, vitamin C. Hazelnut leaf tea is used in the treatment of migraine, depression, asthma, neurosis as a tonic and tonic component. Medicinal tea, effective for fibroma and prostate adenoma, is prepared very simply. It is enough to pour a tablespoon of dry leaf with a glass of boiling water and insist the drink for 40 minutes. It can be drunk in several doses.

• Nuts are used to treat high blood pressure. The inner shell (1 tablespoon) is poured with 200 ml of hot milk, infused for half an hour, filtered, honey is added. This amount of infusion should be drunk during the day for 3 doses.

• The grated walnut, crushed leaves and bark of the plant are used to prepare a decoction for an enema. To prepare a remedy, pour boiling water over Art. l. mixture, simmer for 30 minutes, strain and after cooling, use for its intended purpose.

• Hazelnut bark contains a valuable essential oil with antiseptic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory action. It is used to treat varicose veins, leg skin ulcers, capillary hemorrhages. Most of the healing properties of the bark, harvested in the spring. To strengthen the walls and narrow the dilated veins, pour a glass of boiling water 1 tbsp. l. crushed bark, boil for 5 minutes, insist for 4 hours. After straining, the medicine is drunk 3 times a day. Crushed bark mixed with lard is used to treat periphlebitis as a lotion on a sore spot.

Hazelnut oil. Oil is extracted from hazelnut kernels by cold pressing. Since it was produced without heating, the oil has a subtle nutty flavor and a lot of valuable qualities. It contains vitamins, microelements (copper, iron, calcium, phosphorus), as well as tocopherols, carotenoids, essential acids. Hazelnut oil has a high nutritional value, used in its pure form and as a supplement.

Store peanut butter in a cool, dark place in a sealed container. When applied to the body, it refreshes the skin, having a matting effect, it is practically not felt. The oil does not give the skin a greasy sheen, is perfectly absorbed, solves the problems of oily skin prone to inflammation.

Salads, appetizers, and desserts are seasoned with peanut butter. As a fragrance, it is added to soaps, scented candles, and skin care cosmetics. This oil lubricates the hands and cuticles of the nails.

When taken orally, hazelnut oil is perfectly absorbed, contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, kidney stones, and gently cleanses the body.

Contraindications of hazelnut oil. The only contraindication to the use of hazelnut oil is hypersensitivity to its components, a tendency to allergies.