The benefits of pine nuts and contraindications

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-12 17:37

Since ancient times, pine nuts have been considered a very healthy and nutritious food. Due to their high zinc content, they are also considered aphrodisiacs. It is an exquisite product in many countries around the world. In Italian cuisine, it is used to prepare original sauces and oils. Having studied the beneficial properties of pine nuts and contraindications to their intake, you can get the most out of their use.

Pine nuts: origin and cultivation

Pine nuts are small, slightly oblong. They have a sweet and sour, but rather subtle taste and a distinct aroma, which creates many interesting possibilities for their use in cooking. There are both domestic and foreign nuts on the Russian market. They are delicious and healthy.

Nuts native to Italy are considered the best in all respects. Korea is also considered one of the key suppliers of this product. But not only these 2 states supply pine nuts to the European and world markets.

Cedar is a tree that adapts well to a variety of soils. Pine nuts are obtained mainly from forests growing in the Mediterranean countries, mainly in the north, as well as on the southern shores of the Black Sea. Korean cedars densely cover areas of North Korea and China. In the southern regions of these countries, its thickets are less common.

Valuable vitamins and minerals

Useful properties of pine nuts and contraindications to their use deserve attention. They are a rich source of macro- and micronutrients, as well as vitamins necessary for health.

Most of all they contain potassium - an element without which our body cannot function normally. Its deficiency is manifested by muscle tremors, impaired conduction of nerve impulses, constipation, apathy, swelling of the extremities or a decrease in blood pressure.

An adult needs up to 4,700 mg of potassium per day, and a serving of pine nuts will provide about 200 mg of this macronutrient. We are susceptible to a decrease in potassium concentration mainly in hot weather, with intense physical exertion. In these situations, it is recommended to consume nuts and other potassium-rich foods.

Nuts, including pine nuts, should be an integral part of the hypertensive diet. In addition to potassium, the unsaturated fatty acids they contain have a positive effect on the regulation of blood pressure. Pine nuts are also rich in:

• magnesium;
• phosphorus;
• zinc.

Benefits for men and women

Various firms make oil from pine nuts. The useful properties and contraindications of this product are the same as those of the raw materials. Due to the relatively high dose of the latter, nuts are even referred to as aphrodisiacs.

This element is especially important for male strength, as it stimulates testosterone production, increases libido, and increases sperm count and motility. Moreover, to the representatives of the stronger sex, the shell of pine nuts is more recommended.

The medicinal properties and contraindications do not differ from the original raw materials, but they are better revealed when used in alcoholic tinctures (0.5 liters of alcohol per 50 g).

The need for zinc in women increases from the moment of pregnancy and lactation, which is associated with the enormous importance of the element for the proper development of the fetus and newborn baby.

Zinc also affects the beauty and health of our skin, hair and nails and is an antioxidant. Vitamin E also has the same properties. Pine nuts contain unsaturated fatty acids that perform similar functions. All this allows us to consider this product as an extremely valuable source of health and beauty. It is important to note that pine nuts are rich in vitamin K, which regulates blood clotting.

Nuts, like vegetable oils, seeds and fish, contain a lot of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart, nervous system and skin condition.

The content of unsaturated acids in pine nuts is much higher than the proportion of less valuable saturated ones. Taking into account all these features, one can correctly interpret their medicinal properties and contraindications. Pine nut partitions, by the way, are also useful. They strengthen the immune system.

Can nuts prolong life

Pine nuts, consumed systematically, can prolong life by reducing the risk of dying from various diseases. These are the data of researchers from Boston (USA), who claim that eating nuts reduces the risk of death from heart disease by 19%, and cancer by 11%.

In addition, nuts (including pine nuts) have been shown to:

• prevent the development of type 2 diabetes;
• prevent the formation of stones in the gallbladder;
• regulate cholesterol levels.

Weight loss

Those who dream of losing weight can pay attention to the beneficial properties of pine nuts and contraindications to its intake. Pinolenic acid in its composition belongs to the group of polyunsaturated fats. In addition to regulating blood pressure and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, it also helps you lose weight.

Research conducted in 2006 regarding the properties of pinolenic acid, obtained from pine nuts, showed that its regular use has an inhibitory effect on appetite.

The study involved 2 groups of overweight women. The first group received 3 g of pinolenic acid daily before breakfast, the second - 3 g of olive oil, which was supposed to create a placebo effect. The appetite of women from the first group was 36% lower than that of the representatives of the second.

It is important to note that although the beneficial properties and contraindications of pine nut oil are similar, those who want to lose weight should limit its use.

Calorie content and use in cooking

Pine nuts are very high in calories. 100 g of these small and inconspicuous nuts contains over 670 kcal. But in the light of the above research results and a large number of health benefits, their calorie content fades into the background.

Of course, it cannot be denied that these nuts (like any others) are fattening! Moreover, due to the large amount of fatty acids, they are a very satisfying snack. For this reason, it will not be possible to eat it in large quantities. The problem may lie in the high price of pine nuts.

Traditional Italian pesto sauce is made with pine nuts. In addition to them, it contains 2 types of grated cheese (parmesan and pecorino), fresh basil, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and coarse salt.

Nuts can also be used in other sauces served with Italian pasta. They create an interesting combination with lamb and soft cheeses. They can also be added to cakes and desserts.

Cooking methods

To make a broth, you need distilled water, preheated to 30 ° C. You need to take 100 g of partitions or shells and 400 ml of water. Grind everything with a blender and transfer to a small saucepan. Pour warm water and put on fire, bring to a boil. Boil for 30 minutes, turn off the heat and cool. The ready-made broth is resided. Pour it into a clean container and seal it tightly. Take for a month, drink 10 ml daily before meals.

For alcohol tincture, take partitions of 35 medium nuts, grind them in a blender and pour them into a clean jar. Pour ¾ of the volume with vodka, close tightly and put in a dark place for a week. Applied in courses, with a break for a month. Inside, you can take 10 drops 2 times a day. They must first be dissolved in ½ glass of warm water.

Contraindications

It is contraindicated to use nuts for people with skin pathologies: psoriasis, eczema and various types of dermatitis. They are also not recommended for people with a tendency to allergies.

Bonus

What conclusions can be drawn based on the above:

1. Pine nuts are known for their health benefits. They contain, among others, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins E and K, as well as pinolenic acid - a component that is useful for losing weight and burning fat.
2. They are aphrodisiacs that support libido and fertility.
3. These nuts are among the most expensive in the world.