Brazil nuts are not nuts, but large crescent shaped seeds that are covered by a dark brown shell. They are very nutritious and well known for the presence of selenium in them.
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Benefits of Brazil Nuts for the Skin:
Fights skin cancer:
Selenium is beneficial for treating skin cancer. According to researches made, if your body has inadequate amounts of selenium, you are more at the risk of getting basal and squamous skin cancer.
Heals dry and cracked skin:
Brazil nut oil is very effective in treating dry and cracked feet and heels.
Offers natural skin glow:
The selenium present in Brazil nuts makes the process of cell turnover fast and thus provides a natural glow to your skin. It also improves the elasticity of the skin and makes your skin healthy by improving the functioning of glutathione. Glutathione fights against the free radicals that damage the skin collagen.
Reduces signs of ageing:
When your skin is exposed to the sun and as you become older, your skin starts showing wrinkles. The high content of antioxidants present in Brazil nuts help in reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the skin. Vitamin A and E help in increasing skin collagen and therefore make your skin smooth. If you apply the oil extracted from these nuts on your skin, you will have a healthy and glowing skin. Brazil nuts are also good for preventing dryness of the skin.
Treats acne:
Brazil nuts are rich in selenium and zinc, which are good for treating acne. Zinc can reduce the inflammation of the skin while selenium with its anti-bacterial properties helps in relieving pain.
Benefits of Brazil Nuts for the Hair:
Adds shine to the hair:
Brazil nuts, being rich in omega 3 fatty acids, help in providing you a shiny hair. These nuts are an important ingredient in many of the hair shampoos and hair conditioners and are used in various hair treatments. So, if you want to have shiny hair, have a handful of Brazil nuts daily for a few weeks and you will get the result within a few days.
Improves hair growth:
Selenium present in Brazil nuts is very essential for normal hair growth and prevents hair loss due to poor nutrition.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of Brazil Nuts:
Builds immune system:
Having Brazil nuts regularly makes your immune system strong heal wounds fast, because of the selenium present in them. If you take 3 to 4 Brazil nuts daily, you will get the selenium that you need per day.
Boosts immune health:
If you are suffering from frequent attacks of cold, flu and cough, have Brazil nuts regularly. These nuts are rich in zinc, Vitamin C and selenium, which can increase your immune health and thus prevent cold and flu.
Contains all the essential minerals:
Brazil nuts contain a lot of other essential minerals in addition to selenium. Copper, manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, phosphorous etc are found in good quantities in this nut. Copper is beneficial for treating osteoporosis.
Controls hunger pangs:
Brazil nuts are good for weight management as well. These nuts are rich in fiber and protein and therefore help you to control hunger and lose weight. By taking Brazil nuts as snacks, your stomach will be kept full and this prevents overeating between meals. So you can control weight. You must have unsalted nuts as roasted and salted nuts contain more calories and cause weight gain. Roasted and salted nuts are also unhealthy.
Great gluten alternative food:
Brazil nuts, like almonds, do not contain gluten and therefore are used for preparing gluten-free food products. This is of great benefit to those who are allergic to wheat and those who suffer from celiac disease.
Improves male fertility:
The selenium present in Brazil nuts is a powerful antioxidant and fights against the cellular damages caused by the free radical in the body and also improves male fertility.
Lowers the risk of cancer:
Brazil nuts are rich in minerals and vitamins that can reduce the risk of some cancers like colon, stomach, lung, prostate and breast cancers. The selenium in these nuts activates an enzyme called glutathione, which fights against the free radicals that cause cancer.
Lowers heart related diseases:
The selenium present in Brazil nuts is also good for protecting you from various heart diseases. This is because it activates the enzymes and causes detoxification of rancid fat present in membranes. These nuts are also good for preventing blood clotting. Moreover, the omega 3 fatty acids present in them prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases by lowering the levels of cholesterol in them.
Produces active thyroid hormone:
The presence of selenium in Brazil nuts makes them good for the production of active thyroid hormone. So, if you are suffering from low thyroid function, brazil nuts can be of great benefit. These nuts also contain certain antioxidants that can produce an active enzyme called triiodothyronine, which supports thyroid.
Supports the production of healthy cholesterol:
Being rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like palmitoleic acid and oleic acid, Brazil nuts help in lowering the levels of LDL, the bad cholesterol, and increasing the levels of HDL, the good cholesterol. Monounsaturated fatty acids also help in preventing strokes and artery diseases.
Treats zinc deficiency:
A rare and inherited disorder called Acrodermatitis enteropathica, which is the failure of the body to absorb enough zinc from the diet, can be treated by consuming Brazil nuts regularly. This is because these nuts are rich in zinc and make up for the deficiency of zinc in the body.
Treats iodine deficiency and gastrointestinal disorders:
Reduction in the absorption of selenium is often responsible for iodine deficiency and gastrointestinal disorders. Brazil nuts being rich in selenium are very effective for treating such problems.