Raw Nuts Nutrition Profile

December 8th, 2010

Nuts are often excluded from the standard American diet plan even though they should be eaten regularly- preferably in the raw form. Raw nuts are the powerhouse of potential nutrients and are great for health.

Raw Nuts – What are these?

Raw nuts are nuts that haven’t been exposed to heat or high temperatures. When these nuts are shelled for packaging, they are usually heated. Some nuts are roasted as well, but since the organic and raw varieties retain the nutritional value, they are typically the healthiest.

What Makes Raw Nuts Healthier?

The nutrition profile of raw nuts, including raw almonds, raw pecans, raw cashew nuts, and raw hazel nuts suggest that there are innumerable health benefits of nuts. According to a research conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health, it was reported that over 83,000 participants, all women, who ate raw nuts 5 times a week or more, had a significantly lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes as compared to the group that never ate raw nuts.

Raw nuts are loaded with nutrients that can be defined according to the types of nuts you are eating. Here’s a list:

  • Raw almonds are alkaline nuts that contain proteins, fat and vitamin E.
  • Raw hazelnuts are rich in selenium and normalize metabolism.
  • Raw Brazil nuts are low in fat, high in fiber, and protein.
  • Raw pecans contain lots of vitamins- particularly vitamin B6, and fight heart disease.
  • Raw macadamia nuts contain niacin. Its basic function is to rejuvenate the liver and discourage alcohol cravings as well.
  • Raw walnuts are the best sources of fiber, vitamin E, and calcium. They contain generous amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids as well. Walnuts act as natural laxatives and can strengthen your lungs and kidneys too.

Why Raw Nuts are Good for Health

The reasons are more than one. To begin with:

  • Raw nuts are the best sources of polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats that help reduce blood cholesterol.
  • Raw nuts are loaded with vitamin B and folic acid that reduce the risk of heart disease. Nuts also contain vitamin E, which is heart-healthy.
  • Raw nuts contain minerals like magnesium, potassium, and copper.

That is all about the profile of raw nuts and its nutritious qualities. However, raw nuts must only be chosen from a reputed company like Aurora Natural, as most companies today offer labeled raw nuts that are either heated or dry roasted to increase their shelf life.

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Are Raw Nuts A Better Choice Than Roasted Nuts?

November 5th, 2010

Nuts in any form are a healthy snack choice as long as they are eaten in moderation. Raw nuts, however, have gained significant importance over the past few years for their health benefits when compared to the roasted variety. Since raw nuts contain high calories, it is very important to limit their intake, as well as that of other forms of nuts as well.

Like vegetables and fruits, raw nuts also lose their nutritive properties and value when they are processed, heated and roasted. Raw nuts are basically unprocessed, and that makes them easily digestible while retaining all their goodness.

Indentifying Raw Nuts

Most of the packaged and canned nuts come with a typical “raw nuts” label, but these are not always raw. These canned nuts are usually boiled or roasted unless otherwise clearly indicated. As raw nuts usually have a shorter shelf life, it may be difficult for you find them.

Nutrition Value of Raw Nuts

Raw nuts are excellent sources of proteins and vitamins and offer many beneficial nutrients, while dry roasted nuts have lesser nutrients. Raw nuts are loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids, but when dried, roasted, or fried, the nutritive benefits of these nuts are usually reduced.

Why Choose Raw Nuts Over Any Other Form?

There are several reasons to choose raw nuts over any other form of nuts, but the most prominent one is that roasted nuts contain acrylamides- a chemical that usually forms when foods containing asparagines such as nuts are heated. Acrylamides are known to cause cancer in most animals and is basically carcinogenic.

The reduced nutritive content is another important reason why raw nuts should be your perfect choice. However, it will not be fatal like the acrylamides factor.

Experts Speak

According to the reports of the World’s Healthiest Foods, a handful of raw nuts everyday will not increase chances of weight gain and are highly beneficial when it comes to reducing the risks of heart disease and other inflammatory problems. That’s the perfect reason for eating raw nuts.

Raw nuts may not be as tasty as the roasted and salted varieties, but they are definitely more nutritious. If you still want to get the taste of roasted nuts without acrylamides, roasting at a temperature lower than 140 F. A nut manufacturer like Aurora Natural can ensure this and that their nuts are of the highest quality.

 

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The Many Benefits of Eating Raw Nuts!

November 1st, 2010

There are many health benefits when it come to eating raw nuts, but many people exaggerate the concept of eating raw foods.  Eating 100% raw food is not required always- particularly in the case of nuts, as these are concentrated foods. Raw nuts should be eaten in modest amounts from time to time.

On the basis of our regular dietary habits, nuts comprise a very small part of our meal plan. Of these nuts, some can be eaten raw, while some others must be devitalized or heated. Unless you are on a diet plan or eating raw nuts for some health conditions, you can always choose from the other variations as well.

Are we getting the real “raw” nuts?

That’s the most interesting part! As many are now buying labeled “raw” nuts from stores, we cannot verify whether or not they are really raw. Most of the so called raw nuts today are mildly processed to increase their shelf life.

After all, if you are storing seeds or nuts in the raw form, don’t you think they will sprout within a couple of days? Well, the store that bought raw nuts doesn’t!

Why? Because those nuts are not raw! Instead, such nuts have been processed in such a manner so as to retain the texture of raw nuts.

When it comes to eating nuts, which are quite good for your health, you should eat the ones that are manufactured by a reputed company such as Aurora Natural. You will definitely get the richest properties of nuts available from a company like Aurora who specializes in high quailty all natural and organic foods.

Raw Almonds

Most raw-food consumers are aware of the fact that raw foods will sprout. Certainly, sprouted almonds are delicious and to some have a taste better than dry roasted almonds. Blanched almonds, however, are heated with or without chemicals and they don’t sprout. So, it is the eater who has to decide on the choice of variations.

Raw Cashew Nuts

Unsalted cashew nuts are often considered to be raw cashews, but are not. The raw cashew is tightly enclosed in a tough and leathery shell containing toxic substances, and so, they have to be processed.
It is a great challenge to process raw cashews and separate the edible nuts from the toxic substances. This is best done by an all natural food manufacturer like Aurora Natural which has the proper means and machineries for performing the job with the utmost quality.

All types of raw nuts will have to go through processing. You cannot eat nuts raw, as that will lead to toxin accumulation. Thus, the best raw nuts are the ones that have been least processed.

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