Nuts are a very common nutritious food in life. Eating nuts appropriately can bring many health benefits. However, there are also many taboos that you should pay attention to when eating nuts. So what are the taboos of common nuts? What should you pay attention to when eating nuts? There are many common nut dietary taboos, and different nuts have different things to pay attention to. Let’s learn more about them below.

1. Taboos on common nuts

1. Chestnuts

Chestnuts are useful in the auxiliary treatment of kidney deficiency, so they are also called the "fruit of the kidney".

Uses and contraindications: Since chestnuts are rich in soft dietary fiber, diabetic patients can also enjoy them in moderation. However, chestnuts are difficult to digest when eaten raw and easy to stagnate when cooked, so it is not advisable to eat too much at one time. It is best to eat chestnuts as a snack between meals or in meals rather than eating a lot after meals to avoid excessive calorie intake, which is not conducive to weight maintenance. Fresh chestnuts are prone to mold and spoilage. Eating moldy chestnuts can cause poisoning. Therefore, spoiled chestnuts cannot be eaten.

2. Walnuts

Walnuts are the “king” of antioxidants.

Effects and taboos: The American Dietetic Association recommends that people eat walnuts two or three times a week, especially middle-aged and elderly people and menopausal women, because walnuts contain arginine, oleic acid, and antioxidants. Substances are very helpful in protecting cardiovascular and preventing coronary heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, etc. Don't eat too much at one time, otherwise it will affect digestion. Some people like to peel off the thin brown skin on the surface of walnut kernels. This will lose some of the nutrients, so do not peel off this layer of skin.

3. Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are also the best among melon seeds and are quite nutritious.

Effects and taboos: Eating a handful of sunflower seeds every day can satisfy the body’s daily vitamin E needs. The protein contained in sunflower seeds is comparable to that of various meats, especially arginine, which is indispensable for making semen. Regular consumption of sunflower seeds has certain effects on preventing coronary heart disease, stroke, lowering blood pressure, and protecting blood vessel elasticity. Medical scientists believe that sunflower seeds can cure insomnia, enhance memory, and play a certain role in preventing cancer, high blood pressure, and neurasthenia.

4. Pistachio

It can be said to be a friend of the heart. Mainly containing monounsaturated fatty acids, pistachios are not as prone to rancidity as other nuts and can lower cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease.

Effects and contraindications: Eating 10 pistachios at one time is equivalent to eating 1.5 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids. Pistachios that have been stored for too long should not be eaten again. Pistachios are high in calories and contain a lot of fat. People who are afraid of getting fat or have high blood lipids should eat less.

5. Sweet almonds

Contain 50% fat, 25% protein, 10% carbohydrates, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, boron, potassium and other elements.

Effects and taboos: Patients with coronary heart disease who regularly eat almonds are 50% less likely to have angina than those who do not eat them. Almonds can regulate insulin and blood sugar levels, and are also one of the therapeutic products for impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. Almonds are rich in boron and calcium, which are also beneficial in preventing osteoporosis in menopausal women.

6. Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are rich in nutrients and contain all eight amino acids needed by the human body, and their content is much higher than that of walnuts.

Effects and taboos: The calcium, phosphorus, and iron content in hazelnuts are also higher than other nuts. Because of its rich nutrition and sweet taste, people have regarded it as a precious fruit since ancient times. Hazelnuts are flat in nature and sweet in taste. They have the functions of nourishing qi, strengthening the spleen, stopping diarrhea, improving eyesight, and repelling insects.

7. Pumpkin seeds

have insecticidal and therapeutic effects on prostate diseases.

Effects and taboos: American research has found that eating about 50 grams of pumpkin seeds a day can effectively prevent prostate disease and prostate cancer. Pumpkin seeds are rich in pantothenic acid, which can relieve static angina and have antihypertensive effects. But be careful not to eat too much at one time. There have been reports of dizziness caused by excessive consumption of pumpkin seeds. It is most suitable for patients with high blood pressure. Patients with stomach heat should eat less, otherwise they will feel abdominal distension and stuffiness.

8. Peanuts

Peanuts are rich in high-quality protein, fat and a variety of micronutrients.

Functions and taboos: It plays an important role in adjusting the nutritional balance of people, especially children.

Recently, scientists have discovered that peanuts contain a large amount of arginine and resveratrol. The former has potential anti-tuberculosis effects, and the latter can inhibit the infiltration and spread of cancer cells. Therefore, it is a good dietary supplement for tuberculosis patients and tumor patients. However, peanut coating can increase the number of platelets and resist fibrinolysis, so people with hyperviscosity should peel and eat it. The digestion and absorption rate of peanuts is low. Excessive consumption will increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and requires attention.

9. Pine nuts

It is known as the "longevity fruit".

Uses and taboos: Pine nuts contain protein, fat, and sugar. Most of the fat contained is linoleic acid, linolenic acid and other essential fatty acids that are beneficial to health. It is also rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc. Regular consumption can nourish and strengthen the body. If stored for a long time, it will produce a havoc smell and should not be eaten. People with poor gallbladder function should eat with caution.

10. Cashew nuts

The fat content of cashew nuts is 47% and the protein is 22%.

Uses and taboos: Compared with other nuts, the content of saturated fatty acids in cashew nuts that are harmful to the human body is slightly higher, accounting for about 20%. Therefore, overeating should be avoided. In addition, cashew nuts contain a variety of allergens, which may cause certain allergic reactions for people with allergies. Therefore, for people who eat cashew nuts for the first time, it is best not to eat too much. You can eat one or two cashew nuts first and then stop for ten minutes. If no allergic reaction occurs, then eat again.

2. Tips for purchasing chestnuts

1. Look at the color: the shell is bright red, brown, purple, ocher and other colors, the particles are shiny, and the quality is generally good. If the shell is discolored, dull or has a dark shadow, it indicates that the fruit has been eaten by insects or deteriorated by heat.

2. Knead the fruit: You can pinch the chestnuts with your hands. If the chestnuts are firm, the flesh is generally plump; if the chestnuts are empty, it means that the flesh has shriveled or the flesh has become soft after being sultry.

3. Hand shaking: Put a handful of chestnuts into your hand and shake them. If there is a shelling sound, it indicates that the flesh is dry and hard. It may be that the chestnuts from the next year are pretending to be fresh chestnuts.

4. Taste: Good chestnut kernels are light yellow, firm, fine in texture, low in water, high in sweetness, glutinous enough, and rich in fragrance; on the contrary, they are hard and tasteless and have a poor taste.

5. Grain identification: The bigger the chestnut grains, the better. Chestnuts in my country are divided into southern chestnuts and northern chestnuts. Northern chestnuts generally have smaller particles, about 70 to 80 pieces per 500 grams, and are flat and round in shape. The peel is thin and easy to peel after frying. The particles are also relatively uniform and of good quality.

When purchasing chestnuts, you should also be careful not to pursue the white or golden color of the flesh. The golden flesh is most likely chestnuts that have been chemically treated, which is harmful to the body. On the contrary, if the middle of the meat turns brown after frying or cooking, it is caused by the "browning reaction" of the enzyme contained in the chestnuts. This is a normal phenomenon and eating it is not harmful to the body.