Brazil nuts have been a part of my diet for many years. Not only do they taste great and make a good snack when I need a little something, but Brazil nuts are also the best source of selenium. Selenium is an extremely important mineral that is vital to our health and plays an essential role in many bodily functions.
BENEFITS OF BRAZIL NUTS
In addition to selenium, Brazil nuts are also packed with other nutrients including many vitamins and minerals, protein, healthy fats and antioxidants. This combination makes Brazil nuts a nutritional powerhouse and offers many benefits to the human body.
Mood Enhancer
Brazil nuts are known to help improve our mood. Serotonin, the hormone that controls our mood, is often higher after the consumption of Brazil nuts. Selenium is also linked to lifting our moods and can help prevent depression and anxiety making Brazil nuts a great choice.
Regulating Thyroid Function
Selenium is crucial for our thyroid gland to work properly. Our thyroid controls our body temperature, metabolism and heart rate and is fundamental to our health. Since Brazil nuts are so potent in selenium, they make a great natural option to maintaining a healthy thyroid.
Anti-Inflammatory
Brazil nuts have anti-inflammatory properties mostly due to the high levels of selenium which helps combat inflammation in our bodies.
Increasing Heart Health
Brazil nuts are high in healthy fats and in healthy cholesterol (HDL) which reduces the risk of heart disease and helps increase overall heart health.
Cancer-Fighting
Research has shown that Selenium has been able to help reduce and prevent cancer in some cases which is why Brazil nuts are on the list of cancer-fighting foods. Brazil nuts are also high in antioxidants which help fight free radicals, the molecules that often cause damage to our cells.
Even though Brazil nuts are extremely healthy and nutritious, it’s important for adults not to take more than 2 a day because the level of selenium could be toxic and make you sick. Brazil nuts also go bad very easily, so I like to put them in my fridge to keep them fresh longer.
I highly suggest adding Brazil nuts to your diet, especially if you don’t eat of lot of high selenium foods. I personally recommend Brazil nuts over taking a supplement since they have all the selenium you need and more.
Feature image via Healthline
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