Eating chestnuts daily keeps the heart stay healthy

Chestnuts, a favorite food on cold winter nights, are notable for their health benefits. Professor Gülay Koçoğlu of Cumhuriyet University's (CU) Faculty of Medicine's Department of Public Health told an Anadolu Agency (AA) reporter that chestnuts are abundant in winter and consumed frequently as a fruit.

Chestnuts have low water levels and are rich in calories and carbohydrates which do not raise blood sugar levels. As for saturated fats, three chestnuts are known to be equal to a slice of bread. As chestnuts are a fiber-rich fruit, they also offer protection against various diseases. "Consuming foods that are rich in fibers are important to avoid diseases such as cancer, cardiac diseases and diabetes. The potassium in chestnuts also regulates circulation and blood pressure. Chestnuts also have positive effects on the neural system," said Professor Koçoğlu. She advises people suffering from varicosity and hemorrhoids to eat chestnuts.

"When chestnuts are boiled, the calories decrease; however, the calorie levels rise when it is roasted and thus gives more energy. This is why we recommend people to consume three chestnuts a day," concluded Koçoğlu. Chestnuts stand out among other edible nuts for their distinctive nutritional content. They are exceptionally rich in vitamin C and other vitamins, as well as a good source of minerals and high-quality protein. Eating chestnuts also reduces bad cholesterol. Chestnuts are also rich in the mineral manganese, an antioxidant that absorbs free radicals in the system and reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease.