Health benefits of walnuts during pregnancy

Are you pregnant and you are good in looking the other side when you see walnuts? You are not being fair to yourself. 

Guess why? Walnuts are plant-based form of omega-3 fatty acids which doctors have affirmed you need in this condition. Walnuts have more omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acids, than other nuts. Omega-3 fats help in the development of the baby’s nervous system, vision, concentration, understanding of words, and overall intelligence quotient (IQ) as they get older. It can also prevent the baby from having asthma and eczema. In just 1/4 cup of walnuts, about a handful, you get almost 100% of your daily needs for omega-3 fatty acids. If you doubt this, ask your doctor.

In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts are simply packed with tons of healthful nutrients that will nourish your body and encourage the health and development of your growing baby.

The main walnut nutrients are calcium, potassium, vitamin B, fibre and magnesium, all of which can help prevent the blood from clotting too much, and improve your overall blood flow. Walnuts help prevent pregnancy-related hypertension, low birth weight, post-partum depression, and protects your blood vessels. In addition, vitamin E from gamma-tocopherol (rather than the common alpha-tocopherol) helps the body to rid itself of harmful free radicals.

Walnuts contain important anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and antioxidants, even some that are found nowhere else in nature. These phytonutrients help your circulatory system and blood vessels to perform at peak levels, which improves cardiovascular and heart health. This also helps push out the bad cholesterol in your body, lowering your total cholesterol level and reducing your risk of developing heart disease, even if you eat only a few walnuts each day.

Other Health Benefits of Walnuts:

• The antioxidants in walnuts help to develop bones and collagen, in both you and your growing baby.
• They help prevent and treat metabolic disorders, diabetes, cancer, weight loss, and numerous other illnesses.
• They have melatonin in them, which helps to regulate sleep cycles and adjustment to the light and dark.
• Another benefit of walnuts is that they help promote memory and cognitive response, so they help your baby’s developing brain.

Because walnuts have a large amount of oil in them, they will spoil easily, so you should not keep them at room temperature. You store them in your refrigerator for up to six months, and any extra can stay in the freezer for up to a year.

To take advantage of all of these health benefits of walnuts, keep little portions of them in your handbag and desk, so when you need a little protein boost, it’s ready for you

Source: National Mirror