Healh Benefits

Walnuts have a unique and intriguing nutritional composition.
A large proportion of the walnut is fat, (69%) but 49% is polyunsaturated and 6% is omega 3 in the form of a linolenic acid. The benefits of reducing dietary saturated fat in favour of unsaturated fats have been known for some time and are linked to reductions in risk factors of coronary heart disease, and possibly also type 2 diabetes, by influencing insulin action. Research has shown that including 30 g/day walnuts in a low fat diet (30% energy from fat) produced favourable shifts in cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Walnuts have exceptionally high levels of tocopherol, (a form of Vitamin E) and compounds with potent anti-oxidant activity, such as melatonin. The consumption of walnuts has been shown to increase the anti-oxidant capacity of blood which may afford a further protection against disease elements.

News Articles

Daily Mail - Two ounces of walnuts a day 'could help cut breast cancer risk in half'
BBC News - Walnuts are the healthiest nut, say scientists
Channel 7 - Walnuts - top foods that help to shed the kilos

Articles

EurekAlert! - Walnuts are top nut for heart-healthy antioxidants
Nuts for Life - Nuts not fish reduce your risk of death from inflammatory disease