A new study published in the Journal of Proteomics research shows that the consumption of nuts might affect neurotransmitter levels.
Researchers found that in people with metabolic syndrome, eating just 30g of mixed raw nuts per day increased the levels of serotonin in their urine. Serotonin is a chemical in the body that plays a role in decreasing hunger signals, in heart health, and in making us happy.
There were a number of other health benefits experienced by the subjects in the study, which the researchers suggest was due to the increased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet.
www.walnuts.net.au
The subjects were consuming raw almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts – in case you want to add these into your
own diet, 30g works out to roughly:
- 20 – 24 Almonds.
- 8 – 11 Walnuts.
- 18 – 20 Hazelnuts.
Presumable other nuts would have similar effects, so you could also try: - 6 – 8 Brazil nuts.
- 18 – 20 Pecan halves.
- 16 – 18 Cashews.
- 45 – 47 Pistachios.
What’s your favourite way to add nuts into your diet? I’d love to hear some new recipe ideas…
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/pr200514h?prevSearch=nuts&searchHistoryKey=
