Walnuts are one of the best anti-aging foods that provide numerous important health benefits. They are so powerful that can improve your overall health without requiring significant changes in your diet. You only need to include an ounce of walnuts a day, or 7 shelled walnuts, in order to obtain their amazing health benefits.
Why Are Walnuts Considered an Anti-Aging Superfood?
Walnuts contain flavonoids, vitamin E, ellagic acid, and melatonin – these are all healthy compounds with antioxidant properties.
They help eliminate toxins from your body, clear your skin, and protect you against chronic conditions. They are indeed packed with antioxidants. The Food and Function journal has published a study that examined the antioxidant content of 9 types of raw and roasted nuts and 2 types of peanut butter. The results showed walnuts are #1 on the list when it comes to their antioxidant content.
Antioxidants prevent free radical damage by destroying the unstable molecules which can harm the body cells and negatively impact our health. Daily consumption of walnuts can help protect from age-related diseases, like Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. The antioxidant content in walnuts can as well help prevent Eat This and cancer.
Other Reasons to Add Walnuts to Your Diet
Besides preventing numerous diseases, walnuts can also help improve your body and overall health.
1. Skin Benefits
Walnuts are extremely beneficial for your skin, again thanks to the ability of their antioxidant content to remove free radicals from the body. Excessive exposure to sunlight, unhealthy foods, cigarette smoke, and pollution can cause free radical buildups which can break down the structural protein that makes skin supple and strong – collagen.
Low levels of collagen lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Therefore, if you want to look younger you need to eliminate free radicals from the body, and a great way to achieve that is by consuming walnuts on a daily basis.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Capabilities
Whole walnuts and walnut oil can both reduce the effects of inflammation and prevent various conditions caused by a such response from the immune system. This is due to their high content of omega-3 fatty acids. Some of these conditions are asthma, Ayurveda, allergies, and rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Brain Power
Thanks to the omega-3 fatty acid and antioxidant content, walnuts can improve brain function. Therefore, whenever you feel a bit sluggish, just eat a handful of walnuts and you’ll get an immediate boost that will help you continue your work.
Besides the mentioned health benefits of walnuts, they can also improve your sleep quality thanks to the high levels of melatonin they contain. The fact that proper sleep helps fight the signs of aging means walnuts are an effective anti-aging superfood.