Walking in the woods loosens stress, improves mood, relaxes and soothes and chestnuts for their part are rich in nutrients, property and treasured benefits in caskets thorny.
Few people know that the chestnuts, for a long time, have been a fundamental food for the less well-off classes: being rich in starch could replace the pasta and their meal you could make bread.
As part of the beech, the chestnut tree is native to southern Europe. As is known, it is a tree that reaches a discrete height, bloom in summer (is also obtained a good honey) and the fruits sprouting after September. The fruit, which is the chestnut but it is actually a seed, is located inside a thorny green globe.
Chestnuts, at first glance, seem all the same, in fact there are different varieties:
- hybrid of European and Japanese chestnut trees;
- Japanese chestnuts, a small tree of our local chestnut wood;
- Brown, it is a much larger variety of chestnuts.
Chestnuts are a valuable source of nutrients and beneficial properties for the body, yet underestimate.what hides inside the chestnut:
- vitamins (B, B9, A, C, PP, B6 and K)
- mineral salts (sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc)
- amino acids (aspartic and glutamic acid, alanine, arginine, cystine, glycine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, histidine, leucine, lysine, proline, methionine, serine, tyrosine, tryptophan, valine and threonine)
- fibers
- carbohydrates
- protein
What are the properties of chestnuts?
- Help the intestine: thanks to the richness in fiber help establish the regularity and fight constipation;
- Energetic: they are allies of the sport, in fact, are an excellent energy reserves;
- Recovery: the chestnuts are good to recover from fever and flu but also to combat lack of appetite and fatigue. Even in case of excessive fatigue and stress eat a few chestnuts can be of great help, thanks to magnesium;
- Strengthens nails and hair: thanks to the great quantity of mineral salts;
- Strengthens muscles, bones and nerves due to the potassium and calcium;
- is especially a good ally against anemia, especially it is chestnut honey;
- In pregnancy: a handful of chestnuts has a good ally of folic acid for pregnant women because it protects the fetus from birth defects;
- Antioxidants: thanks to its high content of vitamins, especially C;
- this property is not confirmed, but it seems that in the Middle Ages they considered aphrodisiacs of fruits especially if they are left to macerate in the wine;
- nervous system: thanks to the good amount of phosphorus are valuable allies for the nervous system;
- Friends of the immune system: thanks to the vitamin C of course;
- chestnuts are allies of the diet as they are a food breaks hunger, but on condition not to exceed;
- Prostate: this fruit prevents swelling and aggression by tumor cells;
- Ipocolesterolemico: between the properties of chestnuts There is also to help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood;
- Antiseptic: always thanks to the potassium;
- Healthy teeth and tendons: thanks to chlorine;
Chestnuts do not contain gluten, they can also be worn by those who are celiac, you only need to do some 'attention to calories and not eat too much, as we shall see below, in the section on contraindications.
Chestnuts: all uses
Chestnuts can be eaten: boiled, peeled alone or with the skin or with a bay leaf or roasted (See also: Recipes with chestnuts).
There is obtained the flour with which among other things you can do many sweets.
Honey is a valuable ally for your health: it helps against anemia, free from cough and is a good tonic.
It would be interesting not discard the cooking water chestnuts, but use it for rinsing hair, to strengthen them and give them a nice reflection. This water can also be drunk: is a tonic for the heart and relieves headaches.
Even the flour and chestnut pulp are excellent natural remedies: added to natural oils and other ingredients (aloe, honey, lemon juice, egg yolk, yogurt, rose hip) are excellent anti-aging masks, strengthening and nourishing for hands , face and hair.
Those with spleen problems prefers roasted chestnuts however, who suffer from liver problems prefers boiled chestnut.
An old grandmother remedy against cough and flu, is to boil the chestnut leaves. This infusion is expectorant and sedative.
Chestnuts: contraindications
Chestnuts are not particularly suitable for those suffering from flatulence and colitis, ditto for those suffering from gastritis. You should never exceed in their consumption because they are highly caloric and can cause dysentery. It is not recommended in cases of diabetes as rich in sugars. In case of problems liver disease, it is recommended that the doctor's advice about taking chestnuts. Those on a diet moderate consumption, because as I said they are very caloric and has no need to abuse it.
Do you like chestnuts? As you enjoy cooking them? Were you aware of this property, the benefits and nutritional value of chestnuts?
This October, all in the woods to look for chestnuts!
