31 March,2011 10:26 AM IST | | Agencies
Walnuts are a top nibble in that they fight free radicals that can damage our body's cells and cause disease better than just about any other popular nut.
Walnuts are loaded with antioxidant polyphenols, compounds that interact with free radicals to stabilize them and prevent them from wrecking havoc on our cells. Walnuts have almost twice as many antioxidant polyphenols as almonds, peanuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, cashews, macadamias, Brazil nuts, and pecans, researchers said.
"A handful of walnuts contains almost twice as much antioxidants as an equivalent amount of any other commonly consumed nut," said US chemistry professor and study researcher Joe Vinson in a statement. "But unfortunately, people don't eat a lot of them." His advice: eat seven walnuts a day. Plus, like all nuts, walnuts are loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Prior research has also claimed that walnuts are a top brain booster because of their antioxidant power. Walnuts may combat the damage to brain cells' DNA caused by free radicals in our bodies, experts say. A 2009 rat study also found that diets in which nuts made up as little as two percent reversed signs of aging.
