You know steam nuts? They can add a lot of nutrients to your diet!

Almost everyone who has tasted the steamed nuts has completely succumbed to them. They are not only nutritionally extremely rich, but above all very tasty and have an absolutely universal use. Although they are quite popular in many countries, not many people have yet discovered their charm here. So in the next article of our series on seeds and nuts, we'll take a look at steamed nuts, why they're good and what they're good for.

Obash article:

• What are steam nuts?
• What are the benefits of steam nuts?
• What to take away from today's article?

What are steam nuts?

Para are the seeds of a South American tree called the juvia. The name of the nut itself is reportedly derived from the Brazilian city of Pará. It is Brazil that has historically accounted for the vast majority of the world's production of these nuts - it is no coincidence that the term Brazil nut has caught on in English-speaking countries. Today, Bolivia has taken over as the majority exporter. As far as the characteristics of Brazil nuts are concerned, you should know that they resemble large cloves of garlic and have a pleasantly sweet, buttery flavour that many people have come to love. For example, LifeLike's steam nuts contain in 100 grams:

In addition, Brazil nuts are but rich in a variety of micronutrients, of which vitamins A, B, E and D, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and selenium are particularly noteworthy.

For example, the recommended daily allowance of selenium can be covered by just one single steamed nut.

What are the benefits of Brazil nuts?

Para nuts are packed with many macro and micronutrients, some of which we've already covered in the previous paragraph. And their content is also linked to a number of different benefits. Scientific studies highlight the following benefits of regular consumption of Brazil nuts:

Immunity, sperm and thyroid

Perhaps the most important benefit of Brazil nuts is their very high selenium content. While the recommended dose of this element is 70 μg for men and 60 μg for women, according to expert sources, a single Brazil nut can be shown to contain up to 90 μg of selenium. And selenium is important not only for our immune system, but also for sufficient sperm motility, hair quality and, according to studies, the functioning of the thyroid gland. However, in large quantities, selenium can also have its negatives, so we definitely recommend consuming steamed nuts with a certain amount of caution.

Protects against oxidative stress

We wrote a whole separate article for you about oxidative stress and free radicals. However, you should know that nowadays many factors are responsible for oxidative stress - from air pollution, smoking and alcohol to poor diet and bacterial infections. This is where Brazil nuts, among others, come in handy, as they contain a variety of antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress. The available studies point, for example, to a possible reduction in the body's inflammation due to the antioxidant content.

In addition to vitamins and minerals, Brazil nuts also contain a range of antioxidants.

They can be beneficial for the heart and brain

We'll stay with the beneficial substances for a moment. In addition to vitamins and minerals, Brazil nuts are packed with various antioxidants, of which ellagic acid is often mentioned. Scientific studies have confirmed a number of benefits, including antidepressant properties. Some research has even attributed to the aforementioned selenium the ability to positively influence mood - but this has not yet been definitively confirmed. Similarly, Brazil nuts seem to have a positive effect on our cardiovascular health due to their composition .

How to use steam nuts?

Unlike many other nuts, steamed nuts are most often eaten on their own and it should be noted that they are so incredibly tasty. But there's nothing stopping you from using them in a variety of recipes. And you have a whole range of options - they're great in muesli, breakfast porridge or even various vegetable salads with cheese or meat. You'll often find them in various muesli bars, for example. However, due to the high selenium content mentioned above, it is not recommended to consume more than 2-3 nuts per day.

Para nuts are most often found in muesli or high-calorie bars.

What to take away from today's article?

The main thing you should take away from today's article is that steam nuts are nutritionally extremely rich substances that, in addition to a good portion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, also contain a large amount of selenium, which is important for our immune system, proper sperm motility and thyroid functioning. What's more, Brazil nuts taste really good and can be eaten on their own or in various porridges or breakfast cereals. In our shop you can also get them at a very reasonable price. And when you're ready to add a new type of nuts to your diet, take a look at some of the other products in our Nuts / Seeds category.