Brazil nut is a nutritional powerhouse that nourishes your body with essential nutrients. They are rich in healthy fats, antioxidants and some of the important minerals like selenium. Thus, it is great for people facing different health problems like thyroid, brain and heart health. If you are a busy professional and want to include nutrient rich foods in your diet, including Brazil nuts could be a great option. This content will provide you more information on this amazing nut variety and how it can help you improve your overall health. 

What are Brazil Nuts?

Brazil nuts or Brazilian nuts are tree nuts native to the Amazon rainforests of Brazil, Bolivia and Peru. They have a smooth buttery texture and an amazing nutty flavor. They can be enjoyed as a stand alone snack, raw or blanched. Apart from the buttery taste, Brazil nuts are also known for the amazing health benefits they offer. It also has a great nutritional profile that is hard to find in other nut categories.

Nutritional Profile

Brazil nuts are highly nutritious and energy dense. Just one ounce of these nuts contain the below nutrients:

Apart from these, Brazil nuts are also rich in selenium too. Just 1 Brazil nut contains around 96mg of selenium, which is 175% of the RDI. On the other hand, most of the other nuts are able to provide less than 1 mcg. However, the exact nutritional value may vary depending on the climate and soil, yet, they are still exceptionally great in nutrients. 

Finally, Brazil nuts are also considered as an excellent source of healthy fats. 36% of the fats in Brazil nuts are polyunsaturated fats, which can be highly beneficial for heart health. 

A Great Source of Selenium

As mentioned above, Brazil nuts are packed with high amounts of selenium, which is a trace element important for the proper functions of the body. It is considered very important for thyroid management, healthy growth of cells, and to improve the functions of the immune system. It can also reduce the risk of many chronic diseases like cancer, infections, pregnancy, infertility, heart disease and mood disorders.

Reduction in Inflammation

Brazil nuts are rich in different types of antioxidants, which will keep your cells healthy. Antioxidants help our body to combat the damages caused by free radicals, which are reactive molecules in the body. The selenium content in Brazil nuts increases the glutathione peroxidase in the body and helps in reducing inflammation. They protect your body from oxidative stress and reduce the risks of many chronic diseases like cancers, heart disease and other problems. 

Brain Health with Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts also contain ellagic acid as well as selenium, which are great for brain health. This is also one of the main reasons why it is suggested for professionals. Ellagic acid is a polyphenol, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have anti-depressant and protective effects on the brain. On the other hand, low selenium levels are also associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s. Studies have also shown that selenium will also improve the mood. 

Heart Health

As you can see above, heart health is one of the major health benefits of including Brazil Nuts in your diet. They contain healthy fats like heart healthy fatty acids, polyunsaturated fats and are also rich in minerals, fiber and antioxidants. All of these nutrients play an important role in lowering the risk of different heart disease.

Research has shown that Brazil Nuts will Improve or Reduce:

• Vascular Inflammation
• Coagulation
• Oxidative Stress
• Triglycerides
• Total Cholesterol
• Blood Glucose Level

These nuts can also improve HDL (good) cholesterol and arterial stiffness.

How Can It Help in Your Professional Life?

Brazil nuts have impressive health benefits and can be ideal for busy professionals who miss most of the important nutrients due to their busy lifestyles. This results in various health complications in the long run. Thus, it is always important to look for quick and easy snacks that can help you to provide the missing nutrients to your body. On the other hand, these are also simple, quick, on the go snacks that you can carry and munch anytime of the day.

Buy Premium Quality Brazil Nuts Online

Finding Brazil nuts might not be that easy in India. However, with the increasing demand, health focused stores like Healthy Master are providing it for the customers. You can easily buy premium quality nuts from the comfort of your home. Apart from Brazil Nuts, you will also find many other premium nuts in the store that can be great for healthy snacking. There are also many nutritious and healthy snacks that can be great for snacking guilt free. 

Conclusion

Brazil nuts are considered a superfood due to healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals it contains. They’re also exceptionally high in selenium which can be very beneficial for the body and overall health. However, it is important for you to consume them in moderation. As they also contain calories and fats, make sure you keep the portion size in mind.

Taking too much selenium might lead to toxicity in the body. 1 - 3 medium size selenium should be enough for a day.  If you are taking any medications, it is important for you to consult a health care professional and make sure it is suitable for your body and health.