Eating nuts, seeds can lead to these in the human Body,Check out!

Eating more nuts and seeds is good for the brain and lowers the risk of heart diseases as they contain omega-3 fatty acids, powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits that help remove toxins from the body and neutralize free radicals effectively, nutritionists say.

They explained that while omega-3 helps curb inflammation in the blood vessels and the rest of the body, the antioxidants protect cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

A 2014 study found that a higher overall nut intake was linked to better brain function in older age, saying that nuts and seeds are also a rich source of the antioxidant, Vitamin E.

A registered Dietician Nutritionist, Olusola Malomo, said adding nuts and seeds as part of one’s diet has been linked with a lower risk of heart disease.

He said, “Although high in fats, nuts and seeds are good sources of healthy fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are low in unhealthy saturated fats.

“Research has found that frequently eating nuts lowers levels of inflammation related to heart disease and diabetes.

“Nuts like almonds, walnuts, or cashews and seeds such as sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or flaxseeds are great sources of protein, fibre, and healthy fats.”

He noted that these classes of food boost the levels of good cholesterol while lowering the bad cholesterol, known to help reduce blood pressure.

“Regularly eating a healthy diet that includes nuts may improve artery health and reduce inflammation related to heart diseases,” he added.

Describing antioxidants as compounds in foods that scavenge and neutralise free radicals, Friday Asuqo said, “As a person ages, their brain may be exposed to oxidative stress and vitamin E may support brain health in older age.”

He noted that vitamin E in the nuts and seeds may also contribute to improved cognition and reduced risk of diseases that have to do with memory loss.

“The nuts and seeds with the highest amounts of vitamin E include sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts,” he said.

He noted that oxidation in humans damages cell membranes and other structures, including cellular proteins and lipids.

“When oxygen is metabolised, it creates unstable molecules called free radicals, which steal electrons from other molecules, causing damage to DNA and other cells,” he added.

Speaking in the same vein, a study published in the National Library of Medicine, titled, ‘Long-Term Intake Of Nuts In Relation To Cognitive Function In Older Women,’ by Okereke Okereke and team, the authors state that higher nut intake may be related to better overall cognition at older ages, and could be an easily-modifiable public health intervention.

The study partly read, “Higher total nut intake over the long term was associated with modestly better cognitive performance at older ages across all three of our cognitive outcomes in this cohort.

“There was a suggestion that walnut intake may be related to better cognitive performance, although it is difficult to draw conclusions since very few women consumed walnuts more than one to three times per month.”