hazelnuts

[debilana]

I never hear mush talk about hazelnuts...I know almonds are prolly the nut with the most health benefits, however they are expensive at times...I have been using a ton of hazelnuts, for milk, pie crusts, trail mix, etc- they are easy to find raw, pretty local on the west coast- why not more buzz about the poor little nut?

(I also made nutella in my champion- mmm!)

[tvillemom]

I've been wondering...sure hope someone can elaborate.

[Carlsbad]

Hazelnut butter is my absolute favorite, and I am salivating over your nutella!

They're also very good for you. Here's an excerpt from http://www.hazelnutcouncil.org/health/nutritious.cfm:

"Hazelnuts are valued for their ultra indulgent flavor and upscale appeal, but did you know they are one of the most nutritious nuts? Hazelnuts are a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, and heart healthy B vitamins. Thanks to recent media attention about nut consumption and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, consumers are looking for ways to add nuts back into their diets. Hazelnuts can give food products a nutritional boost while adding the indulgence and satisfaction that consumers crave.

Rich in Antioxidants & Disease-Fighting Nutrients
Not only are hazelnuts a high-quality source of protein and fiber, they also contain a variety of antioxidants such as vitamin E and a host of phytonutrients that benefit the immune system. Hazelnuts are a rich source of nutrients that have cardioprotective benefits. These nutrients include arginine, an amino acid that relaxes blood vessels, folate and heart healthy B vitamins. In fact, hazelnuts have the highest concentration of folate among tree nuts. Folate reduces the risk of neural tube birth defects, and may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Hazelnuts also contain the blood pressure-lowering minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium. Additional research linking nuts to reduced cancer risk has also shown that the amino acid arginine may inhibit tumor growth and boost immunity.

Smart Source of Energy & Healthy Fats
Although nuts received a bad rap for being high in fat, they’re now being praised as an excellent source of energy and a good provider of unsaturated fats or “good fats.” Numerous studies have shown unsaturated fats can lower blood cholesterol and help decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Hazelnuts are one of the best nut sources of heart healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) per serving, and hazelnuts have the lowest percentage of saturated fat (along with pinenuts and almonds). Other fats in nuts known as phytosterols actually mimic cholesterol and block food-based cholesterol from being absorbed into the blood stream, lowering LDL cholesterol and further decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease."

So feel free to gobble some hazelnuts!:D

[Anastasia Alston]

Who knew? <lol> I just thought they were tasty! I use them & eat them all the time. I almost never use the often-called-for almond; I just substitute hazelnuts instead. Since going raw, I haven't had much of a taste for almonds even though I used to adore them...

- Stasi, Pea Pod (Morab), Rosie Cotton & Binnabik (the Pibble Posse)

[pamparred]

Hmm hazelnuts, hadn't thought of them. When I lived in Germany, it seemed they were the nut of choice. Almost anything with nuts used hazelnuts. Should have know they weren't just good, but good for you. Thanks for the reminder. :)