Top 6 Health Benefits of Pine Nuts

What are Pine Nuts?

Pine nut, popularly known as "chilgoza" in Hindi is a valuable, nutrient-dense nut. Pine nut is the seed of Chilgoza pine plant which is edible. Pine nuts belong to the family "Pinaceae" and its scientific name is Pinus gerardiana. Pine nuts are also called as pignoli and pinon nut.

Pine nuts are commonly found in places such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and India. Pine nuts can be added to desserts, salads and can also be made into a sauce. There are about 29 different varieties of pine nuts that are safe for human consumption.

Pine nuts are small and elongated and they have a crunchy texture. They have a sweet and delicate flavor.

Health Benefits of Pine Nuts

Though small in size, pine nuts provide various health benefits. Besides culinary uses, pine nuts play an important role in the treatment, prevention and management of various health disorders. Let's get down to the health benefits of pine nuts:

Aids in Weight Loss

Pine nuts help in weight loss by stimulating the release of hormones that suppress appetite.

Unsaturated fat in pine nuts helps to release a high concentration of cholecystokinin, which is the hormone that suppresses appetite. Thus, pine nuts help prevent overeating and aids in weight loss.

Rich Source of Protein

Pine nuts are a good source of protein and they have a well-balanced composition of essential amino acids (building blocks of protein that are required by the body).

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Pine nuts contain "arginine", an amino acid that possesses antioxidant properties and blood-pressure lowering effects in individuals with hypertension. Arginine also inhibits the formation of blood clots.

Furthermore, pine nuts contain "lysine", an amino acid that is found in very little quantities in in cereals. Thus, adding pine nuts to cereal preparations can improve the overall protein content.

Heart-Protective Role of Pine Nuts

Pine nuts protect the heart via the following mechanisms:

• Pine nuts inhibit the formation of clots in the arteries and ensure smooth blood flow throughout the body
• High cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart diseases and stroke. Pine nuts contain oleic acid, which is a monounsaturated fat that lowers the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart diseases.
• They also lower other factors that are the main cause for heart diseases such as high blood pressure and high level of oxidative stress.
• Free radicals lead to the build-up of fatty plaques inside the arteries that obstruct blood flow. Thus, the heart has to pump harder to make sure that blood reaches each part of the body. This weakens the heart and can even lead to heart failure.
• Pine nuts contain antioxidants that neutralize these free radicals and prevent overall damage.

Great Source of Antioxidants

Pine nuts are packed with antioxidants, some of them include:

• Gallocatechin (present in highest amount among all antioxidants)
• Lutein
• Lycopene
• Catechin
• Carotenoids
• Tocopherols

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Due to the presence of these antioxidants, pine nuts have an amazing potential to scavenge free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. Pine nuts are also a good source of vitamin E, which prevents premature aging of the skin by combating free radical damage.

Contain Healthy Fats

Pine nuts are good sources of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Oleic acid in pine nuts help lower cholesterol levels and prevent the damage of arteries.

Out of the total fat content pine nuts contain:

• 1.5% omega-3 fatty acid
• 51.3% omega-6 fatty acid
• 39.7% omega-9 fatty acid

Omega fatty acids are unsaturated fat that is favorable for the heart, brain, eyes and overall lipid profile.

Helps Improve Vision

Lutein, a carotenoid present in pine nuts can help prevent eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and improve vision. The progression of AMD leads to blood and fluid formation in the retina that causes further damage. Lutein is a pigment found in the macula that protects against oxidation by light and scavenges free radicals. Studies have shown that consumption of foods that are good sources of lutein such as pine nuts can significantly reduce the risk of AMD.

Other Benefits of Pine Nuts

Studies have shown that pine nuts possess antibacterial and antifungal properties. It helps in the treatment of pathogenic diseases. Pine nuts contain manganese that strengthens the bone, thereby preventing fractures and osteoporosis.

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What is Pine Mouth Syndrome?

Pine mouth syndrome is a bitter and metallic taste after consumption of 10-15 pine nuts. Such a taste may even last up to 2 weeks. The reason behind this could be decomposition and degradation of fat present in pine nuts.

Recipe Using Pine Nuts

Dates and Pine Nut Balls

Ingredients:

• Dates- 1 cup (de-seeded and finely chopped)
• Pine nuts: 3-4 tablespoons (chopped)
• Olive oil- 1 teaspoon

Method:

• Soak the dates in warm water for half an hour and grind into a thick paste.
• In a pan, heat oil and add the dates mixture to it
• Cook this mixture for 2-3 minutes or until soft
• Turn off the gas. Knead the dates mixture with your hands if required
• Add pine nuts to dates mixture and mix well
• Divide the mixture into equal portions and roll them into balls and serve