Why the African Walnut is Good for You

It hasn’t been too long ago that I discovered the ‘’walnuts’’ and learnt how to eat them. Well, I must say it is a wonderful nut with a funny, but nice taste. Trying to learn more about this great food, I discovered how healthy it is and then I realised I was missing something great all along. This nut has a lot of great health benefits, the African walnut especially.  The walnut has different names: African walnut, Gabon nut, Congo wood, Tiger wood and so on. The nut can be boiled or roasted before eating. According to Nairahealth.com, African walnut is an edible single seeded stone fruit botanically called Tetracarpidium conophoram and Coula edults; its plant is mostly cultivated for its nuts which can be boiled or roasted and consumed as snacks.

Walnut is good for us because it is loaded with vitamins: The nut has been found to be loaded with vitamins and contains a wide range of minerals that are needed by the human body for day to day functioning. Expert analysis of the nut found that it contains vitamins C, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and B12.

Omega 3 & Fatty Acid: African walnut also contains a lot of omega 3 and fatty acid, which are very vital for the body for disease prevention, blood clothing, cell growth, and boosting of immune system for prevention of infection.

A Good Hair Food: The African walnut is very high in vitamins; it contains vitamin B7 which helps to reduce hair loss or breakage. It strengthens and grows the hair, making it healthy. This goes to say that the walnut is a good food for your hair.

As a healthy Snack: Since it is high in fibre, protein and healthy unsaturated fat, walnut makes a great snack. Like all nuts, however, walnuts are high in calories, so it is advised to eat them in moderation. To best derive the health benefits of walnuts, eat them whole. Although walnuts’ skin can taste a little bitter, about 90 per cent of tannins and flavonoids in walnuts are found in the skin.

Walnuts are considered to be traditional herb in China; it is used to treat damaged kidneys, cure asthma and constipation in elderly ones.  The bark is also used in tea as laxative and chewed for toothache.

Rifkatu Yusuf