A glossy hard brown edible nut which develops within a bristly case and which may be roasted and eaten is chestnut. The large European tree that produces the edible chestnut, with serrated leaves and heavy timber.
Chestnuts have a mildly sweet taste and can easily be added to a caste of different dishes. Raw chestnuts have a very hard, crunchy texture that gets soft after being cooked or roasted.
The four main species are generally known as European, Chinese, Japanese, and American chestnuts, some species called chinkapin or chinquapin. Chestnuts depart from the scale for culinary nuts in that they have very little protein or fat, their calories coming chiefly from carbohydrates.
The sweet chestnut was introduced into Europe from Sardis, in Asia Minor; the fruit was then called the Sardian nut. It has been a major food in southern Europe, Turkey, and southwestern and eastern Asia for millennia, largely replacing cereals where these would not grow well.
Chestnuts, unlike other nuts and seeds, are relatively low in calories and fats. Nonetheless, they are wealthy sources of minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients that immensely benefit health.
Nutritional Profile
Homocysteine is a non-protein amino acid whose high levels are associated with inflammation and damage to blood vessels and cause severe blockages in arteries leading to obstruction of oxygenated blood to the heart.
The levels of Homocysteine is regulated and controls by Vitamin B12, B6, and Folate which are significantly found in chestnuts which can help in arresting the onset of Hyperhomocysteinemia.
Rich source of potassium in chestnut that regulates blood pressure and controls water movement within the body, and also functions as a vasodilator, increasing blood flow and releasing the tension on constricted blood vessels and arteries. That means it improves your overall heart health and in results reduces the prevalence of heart stroke and heart attack.
Chestnuts contain essential fatty acids that are required by our body and are derived from the dietary sources. Chestnuts are particularly rich in linoleic acid and have Palmitic acid and Oleic acid that are safe for your body. They have a low level of cholesterol and can help in bringing down the levels of “Bad Cholesterol” or LDL in the blood vessels.
MAIN THING
: Chestnuts contain antioxidants, Vitamins B12, B6, Folate and Potassium which can reduce inflammation, maintain cholesterol level and improve heart health.
Calcium and phosphorus are two minerals that are wholly essential for bone health. Copper is important for bone growth and development. Magnesium is very good for increasing bone mineral density.
Calcium, phosphorus, copper and magnesium, these vital minerals that are found in chestnuts, you can prevent or slow the onset of many age-related disorders, such as osteoporosis.
Many studies found that manganese could play a central role in bone health. Another study that shows in older women, manganese in combination with other bone-building minerals may help prevent bone loss.
MAIN THING
: Chestnuts include in your diet, along with other bone-enhancing nutrients, could help keep your bones strong and ward off osteoporosis.
Chestnuts are rich in the B family vitamins (e.g., folate, riboflavin, thiamine) These vitamins are essential for neurological development and function also protecting against disease. Furthermore, the potassium found in chestnuts can increase blood flow to the brain and promote good nervous system health, thus increasing concentration, retention, and memory.
So many studies on folic acid conducted on elderly participants for one year and found that it helped improve cognitive performance while also reducing levels of certain markers of inflammation.
Another study showed that increased B vitamin intake was linked with cognitive function in elderly participants with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
MAIN THING:The consumption of chestnuts that helps to improve Brain function and cognition and prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.
Chestnuts have a very high fiber content. Dietary fiber helps stimulate peristaltic motion in the intestines, thus regulating your bowel movements and preventing inflammation and discomfort and also help optimize the absorption of nutrients
Dietary fiber absorbs water and makes the stools soft along with adding bulk to it that prevents constipation and constipation-related anal inflammation and piles.
Chestnuts have a high content of water as well which makes it a perfect choice for improving digestion with the right combination of fiber and water together.
MAIN THING: The Dietary fibers in chestnut improve your gut health and treat constipation
Kidney health
Oxalate is an Ion that is associated with an increased risk of developing kidney stones.
Chestnuts are a low-oxalate food source. The potassium in chestnuts regulates and controls the release and distribution of calcium in the body. It ensures the deposition of calcium on bones with a minimum quantity getting into the bloodstream thereby preventing stone formation.
MAIN THING: Low amount of oxalate and a sufficient amount of potassium in chestnut which helps to prevent stone formation in Kidney
Thyroid in our neck is the largest endocrine gland of our body. It produces two important hormones called Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine. The ellagic acid in chestnuts can help support the Thyroid function where one experiences hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid function. Ellagic acid suppresses the hormone secretion thereby bringing control over the overactive thyroid gland.
MAIN THING: The content of ellagic acid in chestnut regulates thyroid function.
Pregnancy is an important time for every woman. The growing fetus drains out and consumes a lot of nutrients from the mother’s body and this is why a well rounded and sufficient diet is a necessity during pregnancy. Chestnuts provide calcium, Vitamins and important minerals that make the bones strong, balance electrolytes thereby preventing frequent cramping which many pregnant women experience and keeping your health in a good shape by warding off infections.
Chestnuts are also known to alleviate nausea which plagues the majority of pregnant women, especially in the first trimester.
MAIN THING: The Chestnut contains a sufficient amount of vitamin and calcium make the balance between electrolytes are favorable for mother health.
Ease respiratory diseases
Cough, cold, Bronchitis and sore throat are some of the most common respiratory conditions. In the sore throat, cough, and cold, the inflammation of the throat can cause a lot of discomfort and pain. There is also a persistent feeling of dryness which causes itching. To get relief from this particular problem, doctors administer cough syrups containing expectorant. Expectorant signals the body to produce more hydrating secretions that relieve the throat. Chestnut has the same properties as that of an expectorant.
MAIN THING: Regular consumption of chestnut can prevent you from cold, cough and other respiratory ailments.
Chemically, electrolytes are material that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. The common electrolyte is sodium, magnesium, potassium, and carbonates. An electrolyte has a function of transporting neuro-transmissions from the brain to different parts of our body and back.
Chestnuts contain safe and reasonable quantities of Potassium and magnesium that are necessary for the electrolyte. The lotion which carries these ions needs water and chestnut is 60% water which can be further increased by boiling it.
MAIN THING: The chestnut helps to balance the electrolytes in the body which is essential for the normal function of cells and organs.
Chestnuts have anti-inflammatory properties that make it a major astringent owing to a heavy content of tannin in it. Tannins can allay the skin problems and provide relief from swelling and pain caused due to tear in body tissues. It helps in faster healing of wounds and soothes. This character of Chestnut has been especially effective in treating hemorrhoids.
MAIN THING: Chestnut contains tennin provides an astringent effect that helps to solve many skin related problems.
For problems relating to Diarrhea chestnut and specifically the chestnut tree bark has been found to be a very effective remedy. The water in which you boil the chestnuts along with its shell or bark is rich in Tannins. Tannins, when taken in controlled quantities, can relieve you from Diarrhea can also bring a lot of relief from persistent dysentery. In India, it is also used for Deworming.
Chestnut is safe in normal food amounts.
Allergy: People allergic to latex should not take horse chestnut because they may be at greater risk of having an allergic reaction to it. Other bleeding or clotting problems, kidney problems, liver problems, diabetes, stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., infection/inflammatory disease of the gut).
Overdose can lead to nerve and brain damage due to the excessive proportion of vitamin B6. The long-term consumption of chestnut can exacerbate other health issues such as Anaphylaxis. People who are allergic to certain nuts should avert the use of chestnut in their diet.
Select chestnuts in their shells that are bulky for their size. The shell should be dark and shiny and should not give in to pressure.
Store chestnut in the refrigerator for up to 2 months in a plastic bag.