I have ALL of my clients eating 2 Brazil Nuts per day - why?! What's all the hype about them?
Brazil Nuts are the top selenium food source, which is a mineral required in trace amounts for normal health.
Eating Brazil Nuts can actually be more effective than taking a supplement! This coincides with something I say all the time: "the answer to your health is never at the bottom of a pill bottle - even a healthy supplement pill bottle!"(although supplements can absolutely help you get your health results faster, getting all your nutrients from food is ideal).
Alright, so here are some of the benefits of Brazil Nuts and why YOU should start incorporating 2 Brazil Nuts per day into your diet:
They are anti-inflammatory
Selenium takes a big part in fighting inflammation in the body because it's part of anti-oxidant activity protecting against both free-radical activity and inflammation.
It is a cancer-fighting food
There was a nutritional study done in China to show an inverse relationship of serum selenium levels and cases of esophageal cancer. This is due to not only the selenium found in the nuts, but ellagic acid. Ellagic acid is a natural phenol antioxidant that is also antimutagenic.
Brazil Nuts can enhance your mood
It has been proven that selenium can lift your mood, increase your energy, and prevent depression. When is comes to depression, serotonin production is a key player. Serotonin can help regulate your mood, sleep, and appetite. A study done in Spain showed that the increase in nut consumption (including Brazil Nuts) increased serotonin production. So all that said, Brazil Nuts would be a great addition to an anti-depression diet treatment plan.
Good for a healthy heart
Brazil Nuts not only contain selenium, but also potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals are crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure. In addition, Brazil Nuts are high in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA's), which can increase your HDL cholesterol (the good kind!). High HDL cholesterol can protect against heart attack and stroke.
Improves your thyroid function
Did you know that your thyroid organ contains more selenium per gram of tissue than any other organ in your body? Yes! Here is a nutritional study illustrating that there is a link between selenium deficiency and thyroid metabolism. Selenium is a catalyst for the production of active thyroid hormones.
Brazil nuts, like most nuts, can go rancid easily so it's best to get a moderate amount at a time and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry, and dark place without exposure to humidity or light. The fridge would be perfect!
Let me know if you have any more questions regarding Brazil Nuts or how to add them into your daily diet. Now go get your Brazil Nut on! ;)