Way to your heart is through what’s on your plate. There is no doubt about that. But besides the regular good diet rules like eating a low sodium, low fat diet that is high in antioxidants, one smart strategy to keep your heart healthy is to tame the risk factors by eating specific risk reducing foods. This is easier to do now thanks to a new nut on the block—Hazelnut from Türkiye.

These delicious nuts are amazing for multiple reasons. They are packed with essential nutrients, including fiber, healthy fats, protein, vitamins (especially vitamin E), and minerals (such as calcium, iron, and magnesium), vitamin E, folate, B vitamins, and arginine.

But the best news is that they are great news for your heart.

Why?

Perfect balance of nutrients

They are packed with good fats. One serving of 30 gm, which is about 18-20 hazelnuts contains 23 grams of unsaturated, ‘good for us’ fat, just 2 grams of saturated fat, zero trans fats, and nil cholesterol. 

Bonus benefit: they are delicious, creamy and very versatile. Plus it is low GI food and delivers good fat and fiber which also help blunt the blood sugar levels.

Cholesterol cutter

They contain monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) that can help lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and at the same time help up the HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood.

These can also help normalise blood clotting and have a role to play in maintaining normal blood sugar levels thus keeping diabetes at bay (which is often a risk factor for heart disease too).

Bonus benefit: MUFA also play a role in healthy vision, nervous system function, brain development, neurological function.

Inflammation drops

Most of the good fat in Hazelnuts – about 70% is oleic acid (the kid of fat that made olive oil famous), which is great for our hearts function, and also help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation in the body is a huge risk factor for cardiac troubles.

Bonus benefit: Oleic acid is also known to prevent the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Bloop pressure check

Hazelnuts also contain magnesium and potassium, and L arginine, an amino acid which help maintain normal blood pressure. L arginine helps to relax and widen blood vessels, which in turn improves blood flow throughout the body.

Bonus benefit: L arginine also helps your body produce proteins and support muscle growth.

The folate advantage

Hazelnuts deliver more folate, that is vitamin B9, folate than any other tree nut. The cardiovascular benefits of folate have been known for decades. This B vitamin helps break down homocysteine, an amino acid that may damage the inner walls of arteries. Such damage can increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Bonus benefit: besides helping our heart, folate also helps improve cognition and keep depression away.

The antioxidants plus

Hazelnuts are loaded with antioxidants. The most abundant antioxidants in hazelnuts are known as phenolic compounds. They are proven to help decrease blood cholesterol and inflammation and are great for our heart’s health.

Bonus benefits: these antioxidants are antimicrobial, and can also help prevent cell ageing and diseases.

Finally, hazelnuts are not only a testament to Türkiye’s rich agricultural heritage but also to their commitment to quality and tradition. Grown in sustainable manner, these nuts are great for both the environment and our hearts health.