One amazing nut of great nutritional value is chestnut. This small brown nut tastes great and brings a lot of medical benefits if you add it in your diet in the right way. This small nut is gluten free and can be added in your cooking as well, it brings a sweet and nutty flavor to our dishes along with great health coverage.
Chestnut and hazelnut are two different types of nuts which are often confused as one both have different tastes and nutritional properties.

What is a Chestnut?

Chestnut is a brown colored nut with a shiny cover which is mostly boiled and steamed prior to eating. It is obtained from trees. Chestnuts are a great source of vitamins for humans as well as chestnut trees are a great source of nutrient for the all ecosystem. Its leaves contain high level of nutrients for as compared to other plants.
Chestnut are grown around the world with areas having moderate temperatures like

  • In the continent of Europe it is produced in Spain and Italy.
  • In Asia it is produced in Korea, Japan and China.
  • It is also found in Australia, Middle East and South America.
  • It was once native to the region of North America but due to a fungus it was completely wiped out of the region, now it is mostly imported there.
There are two chestnut types edible and non-edible.

Non- edible chest nut includes horse chestnut. They are not suitable for human consumption in any form. They are used in herbal medicines and is used mostly in healing injuries.

Edible chestnut includes four main types

  1. Japanese chestnut
  2. Chinese chestnut
  3. European sweet chestnut
  4. American chestnut
Chestnut medicinal properties includes used in herbal medicines used for injuries as well as controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation etc. Roasted chestnut is a great snack which is enjoyed worldwide.

Nutritional Profile of Chestnuts

Chestnut is a very special low and antioxidant nut. Following are some Chestnut nutrition’s

  • zeaxanthin
  • notable amounts of vitamin C
  • vitamin B6
  • thiamine
  • protein,
  • lutein
  • vitamins,
  • potassium
  • carbohydrates
  • fiber
  • and minerals
Unique properties of chestnut includes being gluten free, Low Glycemic Index, minerals and a great source of fiber.
As compared to other nuts chestnut are not high in fatty acids but contain a high amount complex carbohydrates. Their nutritional value depends upon the way they are prepared.

As compared to other nuts chestnut calories is very less because it mostly contains carbohydrate. A 100 grams of chest not only contains 200 calories according to studies Chestnut for skin health is also amazing it helps to moisture the skin and maintain its barrier by locking in moisture and prevents the skin from drying faster.

Health Benefits of Chestnuts

Some benefits of chestnuts are as follows

  • It is gluten free so people with gluten sensitive issues and celiac disease and easily have them.
  • Chestnut aids in brain functioning because it contain s vitamin B like B1, B2 and B9 etc.
  •  In weight management chestnut are a great food because it has high fiber content which helps in in calorie intake and controlling hunger.
  •  Minerals in chestnut supports our immune system and bone health.
  • It helps in controlling our blood pressure and protects our heart.
  • It helps in controlling our blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity
  • It is great for our digestive system.

Read More: Macadamia Nuts - Nutrition Health Benefits and More


Various Uses of Chestnuts

Chestnut can be used in a multiple ways like

  • Chestnut oil  is great for skincare and helps in moisturizing a lot
  • Chestnut oil  is also used in haircare
Chestnut uses in cooking is as follows

  •  Chestnut oil is also used for cooking purposes.
  •   Chestnut flour is used to make bread and pasta dishes
  •   Chestnut can be eaten as a snack in it
  •   It can be used in the making of both sweet and savory dishes.
  •   Its puree adds a great flavor to our dishes
  •   It can also be used in making deserts like ice-creams, desserts etc.
Chestnut supplements are also available in the market nowadays of different brands which is a great source of vitamins.

Possible Side Effects and Considerations

Chestnut side effects are also present which are as follows

  • If horse chestnut is consumed it can be toxin for us.
  • It can cause gas and bloating due to high fiber content.
  • In very rare cases it can also cause dizziness and headache.
Chestnut is a great food with high nutritional values but while consuming it some things should be considered to avoid any problems

Allergic reactions

Some people might be allergic to chestnuts so while consuming it the risks of allergy should always be considered.

Portion control

A controlled amount of chestnuts should be taken each day as excess of everything is bad.

Conclusion

Chestnut is a nature’s gift for us.it is used worldwide in both sweet and savory dishes. Moreover chestnut oil benefits in haircare and skincare. It has great nutritional benefits like vitamin B, magnesium and high fiber content. It aids in controlling blood sugar, blood pressure. Helps in controlling hunger and boosts our immunity but like everything it should be consumed in limited amount so it does not become a problem for us.

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