4 Reasons You Should Eat Walnuts

A mainstay of my dietary recommendations, walnuts are an excellent choice when it comes to healthy snacking. Walnuts are good sources of:

1. Omega-3 fatty acids, protective fats that may promote cardiovascular health, help maintain optimal cognitive function, and tone down inflammation.
2. Heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
3. Ellagic acid, an antioxidant compound that helps support a healthy immune system.
4. L-arginine, an essential amino acid that promotes healthy blood pressure.

I also love recommending walnuts as they are almost always raw, unsalted and unsweetened, providing all of the health components above and none of the downside additives of most nuts. Try adding walnuts to your plain yogurt and fruit parfaits or steel cut oatmeal to start the day, eat them as a snack, and use walnut oil in salad dressings for a nutritional boost. Or try the Cilantro Walnut Pesto recipe!

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