Walnuts: Properties and benefits

Walnuts are the fruit’s typical winter. They are harvested between September and October, but are available on the market during most of the year.

The tree from which they are born, the Iuglans direction, is large and impressive and can reach up to 40 meters high. Walnuts, composed by the kernel, which is the edible part, and the shell, which is the shell of the fruit and is covered by a layer called green husk, have numerous properties and are a source of beneficial effects both from a nutritional point of view that cosmetic.

• Walnuts are high protein and energy. Their composition consists mostly of essential fatty acids (including omega-3) and proteins. There are also considerable quantities of minerals (especially calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium and zinc) and, to a lesser extent, the Vitamins A and Vitamin E.
• They are also quite rich in folic acid. Despite the strong protein and fat, Walnuts contain no cholesterol. It should paid attention in the event of excessive consumption because for some people, Walnuts can have a laxative effect.
• Thanks to their characteristics, walnuts are considered very useful as antioxidants and between their property includes the ability to act as a tonic and re-mineralizing. Their consumption has the power to encourage increased energy.
• The walnuts also carry out the important function of protecting the heart and artery’s thanks to the presence of arginine. This amino acid, according to numerous studies, acts as a vaso-dilator and helps to counteract the negative effects associated with atherosclerosis, menopause, erectile dysfunction, stress and depression.
• The valuable properties of walnuts are exploited not only in cooking but also in cosmetics. They allow to obtain products with beneficial effects both for the skin or for the hair. From the pressing of the husks, in particular, an oil is obtained used in many cosmetics for the hair. It is useful to reinforce them and renovates them and also, when used with remarkable consistency, to give him darker reflections.
• The oil is used pure or is inside of shampoos, gels and masks. The same oil derived from the walnuts is very beneficial for the skin: nourishes, softening and firming effect, and can protect her from the sun. Precisely for this reason is often used in the formulation of sunscreen and tanning products.