Walnuts are Packed with Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You have probably heard how healthy nuts are, especially walnuts, and how they should be included as part of any nutrition plan or diet. But did you know that they are so healthy that they are considered one of the world’s superfoods?

One the main reasons walnuts have earned their rank on the world superfood list is because they are full of Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s are monounsaturated fats that are healthy to eat because they have positive effects on your cardiovascular system. But that’s not all Omega 3’s can do. They can also: help prevent cancer, help elevate your mood and even help improve your memory.

The Omega 3 fatty acids (monounsaturated fats) found in walnuts have proven to help reduce cholesterol and help keep the cardiovascular system healthy and running smoothly. This helps keep your heart and blood vessels strong.

Omega 3 fatty acids work because they are fats that are liquid at room temperature. The unhealthy fats, like saturated fats, are solids at room temperature. When you eat saturated fats that are solid, they build up inside your body. But when you eat monounsaturated fats, like those found in walnuts, they remain a liquid in the body and can be used by the body for a variety of benefits. One thing they do is help clean out the buildup of the unhealthy fat. As a result, your heart stays stronger, blood flows more easily and you stay in better health.

Your brain also depends on a sufficient amount of Omega 3 fatty acids that you can get by eating walnuts. Research has shown a strong concentration of Omega 3’s in the brain. And when studies have been done on those with Alzheimer’s, or those with memory loss, there seems to be a deficiency in Omega 3’s. Some scientists believe that the brain depends on Omega 3’s for brain signals and without enough there can be a breakdown.

The lack of Omega 3’s is also thought to contribute to bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder. This is also due to signal miscommunication in the brain. But eating walnuts can help with this. They are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and can help your brain get the nutrients that it needs.

Research has shown that the Omega 3 fatty acids found in walnuts can also help prevent and treat breast cancer and colon cancer. More research may be needed to show conclusive evidence. However, initial studies show that eating foods rich in Omega 3’s can help prevent and treat certain cancers.

It is also important to note that walnuts contain an antioxidant know as "ellagic acid", which assists the functioning of the immune system and by default has cancer fighting qualities, being in the antioxidant family.