A pinch of sugar will make yeast bubble up, thus proving that the yeast is still active and has not expired. About a week ago, I made some puff puff and after adding sugar and warm water to my yeast, I watched it bubble some minutes later. This reminded me of something I would like to share with you. Yeast thrives well in sugar; a recurring yeast infection may be a signal that you have high blood sugar. If you are a woman and you keep having a recurring yeast infection in the vaginal area, you may need to check your blood sugar. Recently, my immediate younger sister, Mrs Damilola Elumade, shared a story with me. She boils Moringa and guava leaves together and then takes the water as tea. So, she was at the hospital one day and the nurse that attended to her noticed that her blood pressure was low. The nurse was so sure my sister was taking something and after asking her, she (my sister) told her it was Moringa and guava tea. The funniest thing is that she has always had a perfect blood pressure, so taking that tea was unnecessary. Do not just take herbs because you feel that you want to be close to nature. The fact that others take it does not mean your body needs it. If you have to, please, always check for the impact it has on your body. If my sister’s blood pressure was not checked that day, it would have resulted in hypotension. I have said it over and over on this column that these herbal remedies should not be underrated and they must not be abused too.
This week, I will start a new series. This time, it is about nuts. A nut is a fruit consisting of a hard or tough nutshell protecting a kernel which is usually edible. Nuts are a good source of healthy fats, fiber and other beneficial nutrients. They are small enough to fit into your pocket and mighty enough to deliver a range of vitamins and minerals. Each type offers a different nutrient punch. They are among the best sources of plant-based proteins. Nut oils also are a good source of healthy nutrients, but they lack the fiber found in whole nuts.
Nuts have been seen as heart protectors but a recent study has even suggested that people who eat nuts daily have better health and longer lives than their counterparts who never eat nuts. This was based on a 30-year Harvard study. There are good things in nuts – healthy fats, omega 3s, fibre, good plant phenols and health-promoting compounds,” says Dr. Rena Mendelson, a nutrition professor at Ryerson University Canada. Cleveland Clinic Canada registered dietician, Jennifer Sygo, also noted that nuts are packed with protein, rich in vitamins, minerals and flavonoids which help protect blood vessels and lessen inflammation.
An observational study published in The New England Journal of Medicine and reported on November 20, 2013 by NBC News examined nut consumption and mortality in nearly 119,000 women and men over 30 years and found that people who ate a handful of nuts daily were 20 per cent less likely to die from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory disease and other illnesses. Most nuts contain at least some of these heart-healthy substances:
Unsaturated fats: It is not entirely clear why but it is thought that the “good” fats in nuts both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats lower bad cholesterol levels.
Omega-3 fatty acids: It is well known that omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish but many nuts also are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are healthy fatty acids that seem to help your heart.
Fiber: All nuts contain fiber which helps lower your cholesterol. Fiber also makes you feel full so you eat less. In addition, fiber is thought to play a role in preventing type 2 diabetes.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E may help stop the development of plaques which can narrow your arteries.
Plant sterols: Some nuts contain plant sterols, a substance that can help lower your cholesterol.
L-arginine: Nuts are also a source of L-arginine, which is a substance that may help improve the health of your artery walls by making them more flexible and less prone to blood clots that can block blood flow.
Let us see some of the benefits of nuts:
They are a great source of many nutrients and are highly nutritious.
They are loaded with antioxidants.
They aid weight loss.
They lower cholesterol and Triglycerides.
They are beneficial for Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
They reduce inflammation.
They are high in beneficial fiber.
They reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
They support gut health
Nuts are generally roasted to improve their taste, aroma and to make them have a crunchy texture.
Most nuts are roasted without their shells, except for pistachios which are often roasted in-shell. You can buy roasted nuts or you can roast them yourself. There is dry roasting which is roasting without any oil. They can be dry roasted in the oven or on a frying pan. The second is oil roasting which is roasting using oil. This can be done in the oven or on a frying pan too.
When polyunsaturated fats are exposed to heat, as is the case with roasting, they are more likely to become damaged or oxidized. This can lead to the formation of harmful free radicals which can damage your cells. Oxidised fat or rancid fat is responsible for the “off” taste and smell in some nuts. You can reduce the formation of these free radicals by controlling the roasting process. The key is to regulate the cooking temperature and time. Studies have shown that when nuts are roasted at a low-to-medium temperature, their fats are less likely to go bad.
For people who are allergic to nuts, what happens is that their body’s immune system which normally fights infections overreacts to proteins in the nut. Their body thinks these proteins are harmful invaders and responds by working hard to fight off the invader. The best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid nuts.
Scientific studies
In a study titled, “Health Benefits of Nut Consumption,’’ by Emilio Ros, the conclusion is that nuts are nutrient rich foods with wide-ranging cardiovascular and metabolic benefits which can be readily incorporated into healthy diets.
According to an article published in February 2020 in the journal Nutrients, research shows that eating a daily serving of walnuts can improve cognitive function and also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, and type 2 diabetes which are risk factors for the development of dementia. The article also notes that walnuts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
Some of the nuts I will discuss are Brazil nuts, pistachio, hazelnuts, pecans, chestnuts, macadamia, cashew, coconuts, almonds, peanuts, tiger nuts, walnuts and lots more. Most of them do not belong to this clime but trust me, you will have access to all of them. It is going to be an exciting series.
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