Nuts aren’t as talked about as they should be. They’re small, delicious, and yet somehow filled to the brim with antioxidants, minerals, and protein. I’m not just talking about peanut butter, either (although technically, they’re not even nuts.)

Today, let’s talk about the wonderful world of nuts, and what benefits you can reap from eating them in lieu of your usual salty snacks.

Fun fact: Nuts are actually a type of fruit! No wonder they’re so healthy.  In fact, some “nuts” we know and love are actually classified as legumes. Pistachios, cashews, walnuts, and almonds are some well-known not-nuts. As opposed to “true” nuts, like hazelnuts and acorns, they actually grow on trees and only have one “seed” inside their shell.

The rest are simply called nuts for two reasons. First, they look and taste like what you expect a nut to taste like. Second, in the cooking world, these not-nuts are prepared and cooked in the same way true nuts are. Functionally, true nuts and not-nuts are the same. 

Famous Nuts and Their Health Benefits

There are many ways you can apply nuts to supplement your diet. Let’s read about some of the more famous nuts and what benefits they can bring to the table.

1. Almonds

They are the wonder nuts of the nut family. They have the densest amount of nutrition packed per ounce, while still retaining a low number of calories. They are rich with minerals like calcium and fiber, making them fantastic for weight loss and lowering your blood pressure. Moreover, they can also be turned into flour or milk, giving you a healthier and nuttier alternative to plain flour.

2. Pistachios

They aren’t just for your ice cream. Eating them as is can lead to a healthier heart, thanks to their high amounts of monounsaturated fats and vitamins that strengthen one’s immune system. Their subtle but nutty taste makes them a perfect garnish or blends into your desserts or salads.

3. Cashews

They are great for those who want to look and feel younger. They have rejuvenating effects on teeth, hair, and nails, thanks to their high concentration of iron and phosphorus. A healthy serving of cashews can help those aesthetic parts of your body stay firm and shiny. Cashews are a great garnish to Mediterranean and Indian dishes.

4. Hazelnuts

This nut, often paired with chocolate, is actually effective in combatting early signs of aging using its various minerals. It also improves the production of healthy red and white blood cells. These two benefits make hazelnuts a great food for those looking to stay younger for longer. Hazelnuts are perfect for any dessert, especially chocolate, thanks to its creamy, crunchy, and buttery flavor.

5. Peanuts

It wouldn’t be a nut conversation without arguably the most famous one. While peanuts are actually legumes, that doesn’t mean they don’t have the same nutrients and benefits most nuts do. Peanuts, in particular, help maintain strong muscles and healthy hair. They are also a good source of potassium, making your peanut butter-banana combo a double dose of healthiness.

Conclusion

As a rule, nuts are a fatty food, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While you shouldn’t eat too much of them, just like any other food, they are a much healthier alternative to your cravings than another bag of potato chips. The monounsaturated fats found in nuts are actually good for your heart and promotes smooth blood flow. Plus, the dense amount of minerals and vitamins are enough reason to choose nuts over junk food at any time.

Basically, what we’re saying is this: go nuts on nuts!