Foods for nervous system- Brazil Nuts

BRAZIL NUTS
RICH IN VITAMIN B1





Synonyms: Creamnuts, Paranuts.Noix du Bresi
French:  Noix du Bresil: Spanish: Nuez del Brasil,coquito de Brasil, almendra de Amazonas.
Description: This is the seed of the tree 'Bertholletia excelsa' Humb., of the botanical family Lecythidaceae, that reaches 40 meters in height.

The tree that produces Brazil nuts stands out among tropical trees because of its majesty and beauty. However, efforts to cultivate them have failed to the point that most of the commercially available nuts are from wild trees in the Amazon basin.

PROPERTIES AND INDICATIONS: Brazil nuts contain more than 66.2% fat that becomes rancid quite easily. These are composed of up to 25% saturated fatty acids. Together with the palm and the coconut, this is one of the vegetables fats richest in this type of fatty acid, and, therefore, are the least advisable from a dietary standpoint. They should not be eaten to excess, particularly in cases of elevated cholesterol.

Brazil nuts are rich in proteins (14.3%) vitamin E, and minerals (phosphorous, magnesium, calcium and iron).
But their most important dietary property is their high vitamin B1 content, higher than meat, milk, or eggs. Only wheat germ, brewer's yeast, sunflower seeds, and pine nuts contain more vitamin B1 than Brazil nuts.

This makes them appropriate for those suffering from nervous disorders, such as irritability, depression, memory loss, and lack of concentration or mental performance.

Those who are following a treatment plan to stop smoking should include Brazil nuts in their diet because of the desirable effects of vitamin B1 on the nervous system.

PREPARATION AND USE
(1)Raw: this is the way Brazil nuts are usually eaten. They must be well chewed, as is the case with all oil-bearing nuts.
(2)Toasted: 5 to 10 minutes in the oven is usually sufficient to turn them golden brown and give them a pleasant taste.

The fruits of this tree is a husk similar to a coconut approximately 16 cm in diameter. When it ripens it opens and reveals 20 to 24 kidney-shaped seeds. These seeds, which measure 3-4 cm, have a woody shell and contain a thick nut known as a Brazil nut.