Useful properties and contraindications of hazel
 Hazel

Hazel (Hazelnut) is one of the most popular nut crops, the taste of the fruits of which is familiar to everyone without exception. In addition to the attractive taste of hazel nuts have a high nutritional value for the human body, have healing properties.

Therefore, they are often included in the compositions of therapeutic diets, recipes of traditional medicine and cosmetology.

The composition of large fruits of hazel

Shrubs and hazel trees have a wide area of ​​distribution.The range of the plant extends from the Baltic to the Far East, where it can be found on the edges of mixed forests or along the edges of ravines. The fruits of cultivated species of hazel are called hazelnuts.

100 g of hazel nuts contain:

  • fats 62.6 g;
  • proteins 13 g;
  • carbohydrate 9.3 g;
  • dietary fiber 6 g;
  • organic acids 0.1 g;
  • water 5.4 g;
  • ash 3.6 g

Energy value - 653 kcal. Thus, 400 g of nuts completely covers the daily rate of calories of an adult, moderate physical activity.

Vitamins:

  • alpha tocopherol (E) 21 mg;
  • nicotinic acid (PP) 4.7 mg;
  • pyridoxine (B6) 0.24 mg;
  • thiamine (B1) 0.46 mg;
  • riboflavin (B2) 0.15 mg.

The nuts contain beta-carotene (0.042 mg), which in the body is converted to vitamin A (7 μg).

Macro elements:

  • potassium 445 mg;
  • phosphorus 310 mg;
  • calcium 188 mg;
  • magnesium 160 mg;
  • sodium 3 mg.

The nuts contain trace elements iron 5.6 mg, zinc 2.2 mg.

Proteins of nuts after entering the body break down into 20 amino acids, providing the body with building material. The composition of fats includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which promote the absorption of vitamins A and E, regulate the level of cholesterol in the body.
 The fruit of hazel on the branches
The fruit of hazel on the branches

Useful and medicinal properties of fruits and leaves of hazel tree

The benefits of hazel are invaluable! The composition of large hazelnuts - the perfect combination of healthy fats, dietary fiber and protein. Dietary fiber slows the release of glucose, which contributes to the body's energy for a long time. This increases the endurance of the body and reduces recovery time after exercise. Therefore, the nuts will be useful for athletes, active children, people with increased physical activity at work.

Hazelnut nuts contain a record amount of potassium and magnesium. These macronutrients are participants in the regulation of acid-base balance, the cycle of heart contractions, increasing the tolerance of oxygen deficiency by the myocardium (heart muscle).

Potassium in the body replaces sodium, the excess of which leads to the formation of excessive fluid and is a big burden on the heart. Potassium strengthens the walls of blood vessels, inhibiting the development of their permeability.

Nuts will be useful for:

  • heart failure;
  • coronary heart disease;
  • senile wear of the myocardium;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • varicose veins;
  • angina pectoris;
  • sclerosis of cerebral vessels;
  • thrombophlebitis;
  • hemorrhoids;
  • hypertension.

Phosphorus and calcium form a solid bone structure and are participants in remodeling (renewal) of the skeleton and teeth. Another function of phosphorus is the transfer, transformed from incoming food energy to the tissues of the muscles, brain and nerves. It accumulates in the molecules of phosphorus and enters the blood, through which it is carried to all parts of the body. Therefore, muscle contraction and mental activity without phosphorus is impossible. Magnesium reduces nervous irritability and regulates respiratory functions.

Therefore, nuts are recommended to use when:

  • increased mental activity;
  • neuropathies;
  • joint diseases;
  • bronchopulmonary diseases;
  • rheumatism;
  • senile dementia.

Stable intake of iron in the body prevents the risk of anemia and supports the endocrine system.

Fatty acids in combination with minerals have a beneficial effect on the digestive system, help to heal ulcers and gastritis. They increase bile secretion and reduce blood toxicity. Therefore, nuts are included in the clinical nutrition of patients with hepatitis B.

Zinc is an essential element for men's health. He is involved in the production of the male hormone - testosterone, which regulates the sexual functions and quality of sperm.

Vitamin E regulates tissue renewal, which accelerates the healing of wounds, ulcerative lesions and skin irritations. For the ability to restore the natural collagen of the skin it is called beauty vitamin. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that promotes the removal of toxins from the body. Together with beta-carotene, it improves lung and respiratory function.

Vitamin PP is an indispensable participant in the formation of the immune system, metabolism, cellular respiration and oxidation-reduction reactions of the body. B vitamins regulate cell metabolism, promote the absorption of fatty acids and macronutrients.

The fruit of hazel contains the plant component paclitaxel. This substance has carcinogenic properties, so it is used in the compositions of drugs for the treatment of malignant tumors. Daily nut consumption is good prevention of cancer and possible relapses after a course of antitumor therapy.
 Green hazel nuts
Green hazel nuts

Contraindications for use

Not without cost, of course, and without contraindications.Excessive consumption of hazelnuts causes headaches and digestive disorders. The daily rate of hazelnuts for an adult is 50 g, and for children 30 g. This is about 10-12 kernels.

Nuts are potential allergens. Therefore, they are excluded from the diet of people with body sensitization and autoimmune diseases. These are psoriasis, urticaria, diathesis and dermatitis. With diabetes, the daily nut rate is halved.

For people with liver and pancreas disease, it is important to consult a doctor before using the product. With obesity from the use of nuts is better to refuse.

The benefits of nuts during pregnancy and lactation

During childbirth, structural changes occur in a woman’s body. This is due to the appearance of pregnancy hormones progesterone and relaxin, weight gain and placenta pressure on the vessels. Therefore, to prevent complications and the full formation of the fetus requires a constant flow of nutrients from food.

The products recommended for pregnancy include hazel nuts. First of all, they provide a stable supply of the most important macroelements: potassium, calcium and phosphorus.This strengthens the blood vessels, the failure of which causes complications during pregnancy - preeclampsia, varicose veins, edema.

Calcium and phosphorus are involved in the formation of the bone system of the fetus, thereby preventing the development of rickets. Mother's bone tissue is also strengthened, the load on which increases with each passing month.

Vitamin E is necessary for the formation of the respiratory system of the fetus. In addition, the substance contributes to the maturation of the placenta, regulates its functions and cellular metabolism, prevents detachment. Tocopherol is involved in the synthesis of the hormone prolactin, which provides lactation. Vitamin A is a participant in the formation of fetal visual pigments.

During pregnancy, the body increases the circulating blood volume to nourish the growing uterus. Accordingly, the need for iron, the main participant in blood formation, increases. Against this background, iron deficiency anemia often develops. Eating nuts prevents this problem.

More caution is necessary to approach the use of nuts during lactation. It is an obligate allergen that can cause an inflammatory reaction in the child’s body. Therefore, hazel is recommended to be introduced into the diet gradually, after sampling less allergenic nuts: walnuts or pine. The recommended age of the child is 3-4 months.

During pregnancy and lactation, it is recommended to consume no more than 30 grams of nuts per day. The product will be absorbed better in the ground state. Mixing nuts with dried fruits and honey, you can make a delicious and healthy dessert - a worthy alternative to pastry.
 Peeled nuts on a platter, ready to eat
Peeled nuts on a platter, ready to eat

Forest fruits in traditional medicine

Fruit kernels, leaves, plyus (green wrap of nutlets) and bark of a filbert possess healing properties. The young leaves of the plant are harvested in May, and the bark in early spring or autumn.

Best recipes:

  • Urolithiasis disease. Frayed nuts (200 g) pour hot water (200 ml) and incubated for 1 hour. Take 50 ml 3 times a day. A positive result is achieved in 10 days.
  • Anemia. Chopped nuts (200 g) are mixed with honey (40 g). Take 1 tbsp. l 3 times a day. This recipe will be useful for hypovitaminosis, muscular dystrophy, rheumatism, cardiac pathologies.
  • Bronchopulmonary diseases. Crushed hazel kernels (100 g) are mixed with hot milk (150 ml).Take in the heated state of 50 ml 3 times a day. Treatment continues until positive results.
  • Violation of potency Milled nuts (150 g) are mixed with goat milk (250 ml). Take 100 ml 3 times a day between meals.
  • Dysentery. Dried plyus (20 g) pour water (200 ml) and put on a slow fire for 15 minutes. The remedy is infused for 1 hour and filtered. Take 4 times a day for 100 ml.
  • Hypertension. Juice of young leaves are mixed with honey 1: 1. Take 1 tbsp. l 3 times a day between main meals.
  • Jaundice. Crushed leaves (10 g) insist in white wine (200 ml) for 8 hours and add golden mustache juice (25 ml). Divided into 3 parts of the infusion taken during the day. The treatment lasts 12 days.
  • Inflammation of the kidneys, liver. Hazelnut shell (2 tbsp. L.) Stripped with boiling water (0.5 l), insist 12 hours. Strained infusion taken 3 times a day, 100 ml. Treatment continues for a week. The same tool will help to restore intestinal motility.
  • Atherosclerosis. Finely chopped bark (40 g) is stripped in boiling water (0.5 l), infused for 2 hours. Take 2 tbsp. l 4 times a day for 10 days.
The beneficial properties of nuts and other medicinal components of hazel are active throughout the year.During the acquisition of nuts, it is important to pay attention to the quality indicators. These are dry fruits with uniform coloring and without traces of a mold. To guarantee the freshness of the product, it is better to purchase it during the collection season in August or early September.

Hazelnuts are a worthy addition to the diet of adults and children. This is a tasty and nutritious product that strengthens the immune system every day, promotes good mood and vigor under any stress.