They taste delicious, have a wonderfully filling effect, easily be carried in the pocket or bought as wholesale hazelnuts, and are also very healthy: Hazelnuts are the perfect snack for between meals and on the go.
- Vitamins
The hazelnut is very rich in vitamin E (tocopherol) – the needs of an adult can (almost) be covered with just a handful of nuts a day. Tocopherol is an essential vitamin for humans. It works primarily as a so-called antioxidant – that is, it binds free radicals that would otherwise attack the cell walls.
The content of some B vitamins is also considerable. This mainly applies to vitamins B7 (biotin) and B1 (thiamine). Thiamine plays a significant role in our organism. It serves as a (co) enzyme in various metabolic processes such as cellular respiration in a converted form. It is also essential for the transmission of nerve signals. Biotin is also essential for the functioning of various biochemical reactions.
In general, B vitamins are also necessary for the formation of neurotransmitters and the provision of energy. Because of vitamin E’s effect as a radical catcher and the support of nerve cells by vitamin B, hazelnuts are considered brain food that promotes the health of nerves and the brain.
- Minerals
In addition to vitamins, hazelnuts contain many other vital nutrients. This includes various bulk and trace elements. The copper content in particular and iron, magnesium, and phosphorus are considerable and can contribute a good part to covering the daily requirement. It also contains potassium, calcium, selenium, and zinc.
Copper is a component of vital enzymes in our body, has an antioxidant effect, and is essential for blood formation. It contributes to the formation of intact skin and resilient hair and is required by the central nervous system.
As a component of the red blood cells, iron is necessary for blood formation and oxygen transport in our body. It strengthens the immune system, skin, hair, and nails.
Magnesium has a relaxing effect on our cells, preventing, for example, muscle cramps, high blood pressure, and the release of stress hormones. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and keeps the walls of our blood vessels clean, thus preventing plaque from accumulating on the vessels and reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and thrombosis. Also, magnesium is essential for a large number of biochemical reactions in our bodies.
Phosphorus is one of the essential parts of our bones and teeth. In combination with calcium, it ensures their stability and health. Nucleic acids and the universal energy carrier of our cells, ATP, also contain phosphate compounds.
- Unsaturated Fatty Acids
In contrast to saturated fatty acids, which are primarily a source of energy, increase the undesirable LDL cholesterol in the blood and therefore promote heart disease in larger quantities, the body is dependent on unsaturated fatty acids: it needs them for building up Keeping cell membranes healthy, regulating inflammatory processes and producing hormones. So-called healthy fat is also essential for our memory performance, as our brain tissue consists of over 50% fat.
Unsaturated and therefore healthy fatty acids lower the LDL cholesterol level in favor of the desired HDL cholesterol, preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Our body can produce many healthy fatty acids itself, but some have to take in with food. These include alpha-linolenic acid (a group of omega-3 fats) and linoleic acid (a group of omega-6 fats).
For figure-conscious people, unsaturated fatty acids are also beneficial because they suppress the appetite. Although the very high nutritional values of nuts initially suggest something else, they certainly help you lose weight – provided they are not consumed in bulk, but in moderation.
