Benefits Of Walnuts, Cashews And Pistachios For Women Across Different Age Groups
Dry fruits are nutrient-packed treasures from nature have long been celebrated for their exceptional contributions to women's health.
In the quest for maintaining optimal health and wellness, women often find themselves exploring a multitude of dietary options. Among the many choices available, one category that consistently stands out for its numerous advantages is dry fruits. These nutrient-packed treasures from nature have long been celebrated for their exceptional contributions to women's health.
Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, dry fruits offer a myriad of benefits that cater specifically to the unique needs and well-being of women.
In this article, we will delve into the advantages of incorporating dry fruits into a woman's diet, shedding light on how they can play a pivotal role in supporting and enhancing overall health.
Benefits Of Dry-Fruits For Women Across Different Age-Groups:
The advantages of eating dry fruits for women at various phases of life as suggested by Nutritionist Apurva Agarwal, include the following:
Women in their 20s and 30s:
- Dry fruits are full of natural sugars, healthy fats, and carbohydrates that provide you an immediate energy boost. This is especially useful for young, energetic ladies.
- By shielding the skin from oxidative stress, antioxidants like the vitamin E found in nuts and seeds can help preserve healthy skin.
Women in their 30s and 40s:
- Dry fruits with a high calcium and magnesium content, such as almonds and pistachios, can promote bone health and lower the risk of osteoporosis. Zinc and folate, two vital elements for reproductive health, are found in dry fruits.
Women in their 40s and 50s:
- Due to their monounsaturated fats, fibre, and antioxidants, nuts like almonds and pistachios are good for your heart. They can aid in lowering the danger of heart disease.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are found in flaxseeds and walnuts, which may help reduce menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and mood swings.
Women in their 50s and 50+
- Dry fruits, like prunes, are high in fibre and can aid postmenopausal women who more frequently have digestive problems like constipation.
- Some dry fruits, like walnuts, include antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that may help women maintain their cognitive function as they age.
What Role Do Dry Fruits Play In The General Health For Women Of All Ages?
Apurva said, "Women with diabetes can moderately include low-glycemic-index dry fruits like almonds and walnuts in their diets. Iron-rich dry fruits such as dried apricots can help combat iron deficiency anemia, which is common among women of menstruating age."
"Keep in mind that portion management is essential because they are calorie-dense and excessive consumption might result in weight gain. When introducing dry fruits into a diet, it's important to take into account personal dietary preferences as well as any allergies or sensitivities," she added.
Benefits Of Walnuts For Women's Health:
Functional Nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, who is the CEO and Founder of iThrive said, "Although we recommend against nuts in general due to their high omega-6 content, enzyme inhibitors, and antinutrients, walnuts are among the few nuts we do recommend. They do not suffer from the usual issues that other nuts do and are actually a good source of omega-3 fats. They have been linked to various positive health effects, including improvements in blood pressure, gastrointestinal health, heart health, and even male fertility."
"It’s recommended to soak them in water before consumption to reduce antinutrients. The richness of walnuts lies in their diverse array of compounds, such as phenolic acids, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarin, tannic acid, and polysaccharides. These compounds each bring unique advantages to the table. Walnuts also contain vitamin E, polyphenols, and essential fatty acids. They are among the most significant sources of polyphenols in popular foods and beverages, making their impact on human health crucial," she added.
Mugdha further went on to list the benefits of this compounds:
- Phenolic acids function as antioxidants, protecting cells from free-radical damage.
- Saponins are naturally occurring compounds with anti-inflammatory, vasoprotective, and antimicrobial properties.
- Alkaloids have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antimitotic properties.
- Flavonoids offer a range of medicinal benefits, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, along with neuroprotective and cardio-protective effects.
- Coumarin has various physiological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and more.
- Tannic acid is an antioxidant that promotes good health.
- Polysaccharides play essential roles in providing structural support, energy storage, and cellular communication.
Mugdha further went to speak about the health benefits of walnuts:
Brain Health: Walnuts are rich in polyphenols, phytosterols, and omega-3 fatty acids, all linked to reducing age-related cognitive decline. Polyphenols help maintain calcium balance in the brain, essential for memory functions, while omega-3s support neuronal cell membrane stability and neurotransmitter signaling. Walnuts also contain melatonin, which is crucial for controlling circadian cycles and preventing cognitive impairment.
Heart Health: Walnut consumption improves blood lipid profiles, reducing non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein-B levels. It also enhances endothelial function, particularly beneficial for individuals with poor lipid profiles and and type 2 diabetes.
Gut Health: Walnuts positively impact the gut microbiome by promoting the growth of probiotics and butyric acid-producing bacteria. A healthy gut microbiome is associated with overall well-being, and walnuts can contribute to this balance.
Cancer Prevention: Walnuts contain phytochemicals like melatonin and omega-3 fatty acids, which inhibit the uptake and metabolism of omega-6 linoleic acid, reducing the risk of tumor growth. Ellagitannins in walnuts are converted into anti-inflammatory compounds by gut microbes, potentially protecting against colorectal cancer.
Benefits Of Cashewnuts For Women's Health Across Generations
Marisha Baurai, who is a Food & Innovation Technologist, at Farmley said, "The high fiber, nutritional treasures, cashew nuts offer an array of essential nutrients tailored for women at different stages of a woman’s life. From childhood to adulthood, pregnancy & menopause, cashews are essential to a woman’s diet. Let's delve into the diverse advantages of cashew nuts for women throughout their life journey:
Childhood & Adolescence: The Growth Spurts
In these formative years, cashew nuts support growth & development. They're like tiny nutrition bombs, loaded with protein, vitamins, & minerals, making them the perfect snack to help them grow and stay strong & healthy. During these years, cashews promote healthy growth & bone development. The calcium and magnesium help in maintaining strong bones during your growth phase while the protein & vitamins support healthy growth & development.
Adulthood: Navigating Life's Challenges
As you step into adulthood, cashews continue to be your allies in the journey of life. They've got your heart covered with those heart-healthy monounsaturated fats & the ability to help keep unhealthy saturated fats at bay. Additionally, if you're looking to stay fit & fabulous, the fiber & protein in cashews can help you feel full, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight. And for those planning to expand the family, cashews deliver zinc, a superhero nutrient that supports reproductive health.
Pregnancy & Lactation: Baby on Board
Cashews become even more crucial during the pivotal phases of pregnancy and lactation. They provide a dose of folate, essential for your baby's neural tube development, setting the stage for a bright future. Plus, there's no need to worry about iron deficiency anaemia with cashews in your corner. They contain iron to keep your energy levels up during both pregnancy & breastfeeding.
Menopause & Beyond: Embrace the Wisdom Years
As you age gracefully, cashew nuts remain your steadfast companions. The calcium & magnesium in cashews continue to support your bone health, guarding against osteoporosis. Their monounsaturated fats keep your heart ticking smoothly, which becomes especially important in the post-menopausal years. Studies suggest that the antioxidants in cashews may help protect your memory & thinking skills. Incorporating cashew nuts into your diet is more than just a matter of taste; it is a decision for maintaining your health at all stages of life.
Benefits Of Pistachios For Women's Health:
Dr. Varun Katyal, who is a Nutritionist & Wellness Expert on behalf of American Pistachio Growers said, "Pistachios are nutrient power houses. Research studies have shown how pistachios contribute to heart health, managing diabetes, strong immune systems, and the preservation of healthy eyes. In addition to these benefits, if we talk about other important benefits of pistachios for women at different age groups, pistachios can help in weight loss, better gut health, strong bones, beautiful skin and hair, and even gestational diabetes."
"Pistachios contain fiber, protein (pistachios are a complete protein), and heart-healthy fat. One-ounce serving of pistachios is 49 nuts—more nuts per serving than any other snack nut. Those 49 nuts contain just 160 calories and are packed with nutrients which are essential for a healthy body," he added.
He also said that Pistachios are skin friendly nuts and can help reduce acne by introducing antioxidants into your system that subsequently affect your blood sugar levels. The trace mineral copper is also found in pistachios which helps with collagen production—that which keeps the skin firm and elastic. Addditionally, pistachios contain Vitamin E, which is one of the best vitamins for preserving skin health.
"Pistachios contain vitamin E, biotin and L-arginine which are some of the essential nutrients for good hair health. Pistachios also contain nutrients like calcium, vitamin K and phosphorus, all critical for maintaining healthy bone density. They are an excellent source of good fat, fiber, antioxidants, nutrients, and protein," he added.
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