Health Benefits Pine Nuts in Winter, Benefits of Chilgoza in Winter

Benefits Pine Nuts for Health

Pine nuts have been a popular source of nutrition since the Paleolithic times. Crunchy and delicious, pine nuts are small seeds of the pine cone. Botanically, the tree belongs to the Pinaceae family. Pine nut is known by several names like cedar nuts, pinon nuts, pinyon nuts and pignoli. It is called chilgoza in Hindi. Chilgoza is found commonly in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The seeds are small and elongated, measuring one to two inches in length.

Top 7 Benefits of Pine Nuts

1.Weight Loss

Eating a handful of pine nuts can help in weight management. A study has found that swapping healthy unsaturated fats for saturated fats can help you to lose weight without reducing your calorie intake. Pine nuts are very effective in suppressing appetite. Pinolenic acid stimulates CCK (cholecystokinin), a hormone that signals the brain that the stomach is full. This curbs the appetite, keeping you full for a longer time. Pine nuts can decrease food intake by 37%.

2.They’re Heart Healthy

Pine nuts are high in monounsaturated fats, the same “heart healthy” fats that make nuts and olive oil so beneficial. These fats have not only been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels but also help to protect the arteries from damage which can lead to a heart attack.

3.Improves Eye Health

Pine nuts contain beta-carotene and antioxidants, which are very beneficial for the health of the eyes. Lutein in pine nuts helps the eyes to filter UV light, preventing macular damage. It also prevents our eyesight from deteriorating with age.

4.They curb your appetite

It may surprise you to learn that pine nuts can be a potent appetite suppressor. Why? They’re a good source of a polyunsaturated fat known as pinolenic acid. When you eat a handful of pine nuts, the pinolenic acid stimulates the secretion of a hormone produced by the intestines known as CCK. CCK sends the signal to your brain that you’re full which turns off your appetite. It also helps to slow down the rate at which your stomach empties so you feel full and satisfied longer. Who would have dreamed these tiny seeds from the pine cone could zap your appetite?

5.Energy

Pine nuts are an excellent option for evening snacking. It contains protein that provides an instant source of energy. It also helps to repair and build the muscle tissues. Protein is a slow burning fuel that provides a long lasting energy boost which does not result in burnout. It also helps to improve the body’s use of oxygen, increasing the energy levels.

6. They’re nutritional powerhouses

A single serving of the lowly pine nut can provide you with up to fourteen grams of protein per serving, depending upon the species. Pine nuts are anywhere from ten to thirty-four percent protein. They’re also an excellent source of fibre as well as vitamins E, K, and niacin. In terms of minerals, they’re an excellent source of magnesium and potassium which is important for maintaining a healthy heart and blood pressure.

7.Skin Health

Vitamin E in pine nuts is required for maintaining the integrity of the cell membranes. It also protects the skin from the harmful UV rays. The emollient properties of pine nut oil keep the skin well moisturized.