Walnuts: Antioxidant Superstars!
Do you live in New York? If so, have you seen those ads on the train by the National Peanut Board that say peanuts—which have had a bit of a PR problem due to recalls and that whole salmonella thing—have more antioxidants than broccoli, carrots and green tea? Obvious follow up question, of course, is: Based on what? Servings of the same size? Because that makes sense: peanuts are tiny and nutrient-dense, whereas broccoli is, well, larger, but also nutrient rich. And one would never eat equal amounts by volume of peanuts and broccoli, no matter how much they like nuts. You might have a cup of broccoli, and a handful of peanuts—say an eighth of a cup. Both may be good for you in their way, but knowing what we know about the disease fighting powers of green tea, broccoli and carrots—not to mention their low caloric values—it seems a silly comparison to make. Which isn’t to say peanuts aren’t good for you, because they are! But, yeah.
In any case, that’s an overly long wind-up to the real news here, which is that when it comes to nuts, walnuts have been named antioxidant champion of the world.
From the wires:
In a report here today at the 241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, scientists presented an analysis showing that walnuts have a combination of more healthful antioxidants and higher quality antioxidants than any other nut.
Congratulations, walnut.
What’s your favorite nut? And do you make sure to eat antioxidant-rich foods every day?
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I’m a huge fan of nuts and seeds. Almonds are far and away my favorite nut. I make raw almond milk and have it every day mixed with orange juice, in smoothies, in my tea. I eat them whole, raw, and preferably sprouted, and love almond butter. I make a point to get lots of raw, colorful foods every day and drink green teas. So while I’m not aiming for antioxidants specifically, that certainly will do the trick, as well as bring in all the other nutrients I need. I eat super healthy these days, gotta make up for my atrociously-fed upbringing in the mid-west, with lots of empty carbs and fatty meats. I often say I was raised on red meat and twinkies. Lots of Hostess products in general. I cleaned up my food act after I had my son, so as not to pass my bad habits to him. I went vegan, raw and gluten free a couple years ago, and nuts are a key part of my nutrition.
Pecans!! But unfortunately I am (trying and mostly failing) to control cold sores; therefore keeping me from eating nuts :( I used to eat them every day as my main source of protein energy and just plain mouth happiness!! …After pecans? Walnuts and almonds! Someday I’ll be able to eat them again… *sigh*
I have a big jar of walnuts and a big jar of almonds on my kitchen counter and snack on them all the time. I love all nuts but if I can get whole walnuts in the shell that’s my favorite. Something about cracking them open and pulling them apart really satisfies me. Weird, I know.
pistachio!!!