Hazelnut

Hazelnut is the fruit of a plant of the same name belonging to the Birch family. It is also known as hazel. The fruits /nuts/ are wrapped in a long green shell.

Hazelnuts are used in the food industry, in confectionery and to obtain oil. The main producers of hazelnuts are the Mediterranean countries.

The hazel reaches a height of up to 10 meters and with gray branches. Its leaves are rounded or broad and oval measuring approximately 10 by 12 cm with a heart-shaped base, with pointed and short tips.

Beneficial properties

Hazelnuts are rich in nutrients, in terms of calories with about 700 kilocalories per 100 grams, they are 2-3 times better than bread, 8 times milk, and also chocolate.

Hazelnuts contain up to 60% oils consisting of glycerides, palmitic and stearic acids, which suppress the increase in blood cholesterol levels.

Also, these compounds protect against diseases of the circulatory system and are extremely necessary for the growing child’s body.

That is why hazelnuts should be an integral part of the diet of children, young people and especially the elderly.

Hazel fruits are also characterized by a high fat content, about 20%, with the presence of vitamins B1, B2, C, E and the following minerals – potassium, iron, cobalt, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, cyamine, niacin.

The most important feature of vitamin E is its ability to prevent the formation of carcinogenic substances in the body, and precisely because of this it is a powerful prophylactic agent against cancer, as well as against diseases of the heart and musculoskeletal system.

Calcium strengthens bones and teeth, iron is a necessary element for the formation of hemoglobin, zinc for the formation of sex hormones, and potassium salts for the normal function of the nervous and muscular system.

As a dietary food, hazelnuts are used in diseases of the circulatory system and in anemia, prostatic hyperplasia, varicose veins, phlebitis, venous ulcers and capillary hemorrhages.

It is important that the fruits of the hazel are consumed by people with diabetes, and thanks to their low carbohydrate content, they can be eaten even with a very strict diet.

Hazelnuts contain substances that promote the elimination of toxins from the body, especially from the liver. The regular use of hazelnut fruits prevents putrefactive processes, cleanses the body and strengthens the immune system.

Hazelnuts are a very good source of energy for humans – 100 grams of hazelnuts contain 639 kilocalories and also a high percentage of proteins from 16 to 19%.

The high content of potassium, calcium in combination with zinc contributes to the effective development and strengthening of the bone structure and prevents high blood pressure.

Consumption of hazelnuts is permissible even for diabetics.

In folk medicine, hazelnuts have been used to stimulate the production of breast milk in lactating women, as well as to prevent the formation of gases in the intestines and to dissolve stones in kidney stone disease.

Crushed hazelnuts with water were used for bronchopulmonary diseases, and in combination with honey they treated anemia and rheumatism.

Hazelnut oil was recommended by healers for parasitic infections with roundworms and epilepsy.

Contraindications for the use of hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are not recommended for children with severe forms of diabetes and chronic severe liver diseases.
The amount of hazelnuts that is desirable to consume per day is within 30-50 grams, in which no other contraindications have been established.