HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHESTNUTS.

Chestnuts are available in the market from October through March, especially December. I recently learned that Chestnuts had been cultivated around more than 6,000 years in China and then later appeared in Europe. They were much more nutritious staple in most cultures; such Korea, Japan, and the Mediterranean. And even the native Americans regarded chestnuts as their valued staple foods in their ancient times. 

Health benefits of chestnut  from Nutrition-and-You  

• Chestnuts, unlike other nuts and seeds, are relatively low in calories, carry less fat, but are rich sources of minerals, vitamins and phyto-nutrients that immensely benefit health.
  
• Another unique feature of chestnuts is that they chiefly made of starch in contrast to other seeds and nuts, which are high in calorie, protein, and fat. Chestnuts nutrition composition is, therfore, comparable to that of other staple starch foods such as sweet potatoes, sweet corn, potatoes, plantain,etc., Nevertheless; they are still good sources of minerals, vitamins and some good-quality protein than cereals and tubers.
  
• They are a good source of dietary fiber; provide 8.1 g (about 21% of RDI) per 100 g. Fiber diet helps lower blood cholesterol levels by limiting excess cholesterol absorption in the intestines.
  
• Chestnuts stand out from other edible nuts for their distinctive nutrition profile. They are exceptionally rich in vitamin-C. 100 g nuts provide 43 mg of vitamin C (72 % of DRI). Vitamin C is required for matrix formation in teeth, bones and blood vessels. Being a strong anti-oxidant, it offers protection from harmful free radicals.
  
• Again, as in green-leafy vegetables, chestnuts are rich in folates, which is quite a rare but unique feature for nuts and seeds. 100 g nuts provide 62 µg of folates (or 15.5%). Folic acid is required for the formation of red blood cells, and DNA synthesis. Adequate consumption of food rich in folates during the peri-conception period helps prevent neural tube defects in the fetus.
  
• Like true nuts, they too are rich source of mono-unsaturated fatty like oleic acid (18:1) and palmitoleic acids (16:1). Studies suggest that monounsaturated fats (MUFs) in the diet help lower total as well as LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels within the blood. Mediterranean diet which is rich in dietary-fiber, MUFs, omega fatty acids and antioxidants help prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.
  
• The nuts are an excellent source of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc, besides providing a very good amount of potassium (518 mg / 100 g). Potassium helps counter hypertensive action of sodium, lowers heart rate and blood pressure. Iron helps prevent microcytic-anemia. Magnesium and phosphorus are important components of bone metabolism.
  
• Further, they are also rich in many important B-complex groups of vitamins. 100 g of nuts provide 11% of niacin, 29% of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), 100% of thiamin, and 12% of riboflavin.
  
• Chestnuts, like hazelnuts and almonds, etc., are free from gluten. And for the same reason, they are one of the popular ingredients in the preparation of gluten-free food formulas intended for use in gluten-sensitive, wheat allergy, and celiac disease patients.
  
• Chinese chestnuts (C. mollissima) are good in vitamin A; provide 202 IU per 100 g.
   

Who could resist a warm plate of roasted chestnuts? I would have them as a palatable snack on any time of the day because it would fill you up gratifyingly. 

When you want to storage chestnuts, categorize them as vegetables and fruits than nuts. When you buy them, store them in the refrigerator. I did not know that until now. As far as I know, many people may suffer from tree nuts allergies of varying severity, so be aware when adding a new nut to your health diet. Please see your professional practicer or nutritionist before doing so. For those who don’t suffer from nut allergies of any kind, you can roast up a pan of these nuts. Lastly, enjoy the benefits chestnuts provide!