Walnut Oil Health Benefits

Walnuts are packed with a whole lot of nutrition and are one of the healthiest nuts that can be consumed. Extracts from walnuts, such as the oil, are also considered to be of great benefit to the body.

Walnut oil is a great source of vitamins such as vitamin B complex, vitamin E, and niacin. It is also rich in minerals such as iron, zinc, phosphorus, selenium, and calcium. A powerhouse of nutrients, here are the benefits that walnut oil can offer to you.

Being a rich vegetarian source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, walnut oil helps reduce LDL cholesterol (or the bad cholesterol) and increase levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Further, it helps maintain the flexibility of the arteries and allows for healthy blood circulation. As such, one is protected from all types of heart disease, and kept healthy for longer.

The oil is extremely rich in antioxidants, compounds that are known to fight disease-causing free radicals. These are known to particularly aid the development of various types of cancer in the body. The antioxidants help prevent the growth of these free radicals, thereby preventing cancer. However, studies on this benefit are inconclusive and are yet to be looked into more deeply.

Because of its rich omega-3 content, walnut oil is also known to aid weight loss. It does this by keeping one fuller for longer after consumption. Since this oil cannot be cooked, prepare a delicious walnut oil salad dressing that can be enjoyed, in order to include it in your diet.

The fiber from the salad, along with the walnut oil will help you even get rid of the belly fat that has been bothering you. Just remember to get a regular dose of exercise to make sure it really works.

It is said that certain foods resemble specific body parts, and are therefore good for those body parts. As the walnut resembles the brain, it is said that consuming walnuts and walnut oil on a regular basis can improve sharpness and learning abilities, reduce forgetfulness, and generally keep you alert while performing various tasks. Another reason for you to drizzle some on your salad and enjoy.

A little walnut oil daily and you will find that the quality of your sleep has greatly improved. One of the many great health benefits of walnuts is that it is capable of enhancing melatonin production in the body, a hormone that is responsible for inducing good sleep.

Because of this ability, walnut oil is indirectly capable of reducing depression, stress, and anxiety, by promoting quality sleep.

Regular consumption or even topical application is known to ward off the signs of aging, giving you younger looking skin for longer. Further, conditions such as dry, itchy skin, and eczema and psoriasis can be relieved by its use.

The benefits of walnut oil are best attained when it is consumed in its natural form, within a stipulated time period, i.e., 1 year after the bottle has been opened. It should be kept refrigerated at all times. Heating the oil is not a good idea, as it is likely to turn bitter and lose all its beneficial properties. This is why it is best suggested as a salad dressing. For cooking, you may use a substitute such as sunflower oil.

Because of all its nutritive properties, walnut oil is definitely one of those foods that you should consume regularly. Make it a part of your diet and the benefits will be there for you to see.