Here we will tell you everything there is to know about pine nuts. All interesting facts and other information that will be useful are collected here. The name “pine nut” refers to the seeds of pine trees. In our country, these are the seeds of Siberian pine, however, the Siberian expanses are their homeland. They have always been in price, because they are very useful for our body. Cedar delicacies are mined with the help of chops, and they are extracted with special devices (pine crushers) - see the video below the article about collection, processing and harvesting.
In order for the nut to remain intact inside, they snap it across and be sure to soak it in hot water before use - this way they become much softer. Good buds tend to be bright, light in color and have a dots on the blunt end. Dark pine nuts are likely to be empty or rotten, and eating them is more likely to be harmful than beneficial.
Video on how to choose pine nuts, the benefits:
Interesting facts about pine nuts
- Pine nut oil contains provitamin A, the amount of which exceeds 3 times the content of provitamin in fish oil, as well as five times the content of provitamin A in olive oil.
- To produce 1 liter of cedar nut oil, it will be necessary to process up to 3 kilograms of extracted kernels of nuts.
- In 1972, an interesting fact was recorded, confirming the positive effect of cedar seeds on male potency. The infusion has been used since ancient times, and now, on the basis of the nuclei of these fruits, effective drugs are used to improve male strength.
- Pine nuts are high in tryptophan, which can help you sleep better. With a lack of tryptophan, there is a deficiency of melatonin, as a result of which a person begins to have insomnia.
Chemical composition of pine nuts: vitamins and calories
Pine nuts contain provitamin A, B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, pyridoxine, folic acid), PP, C, K, alpha-tocopherol, useful amino acids (lysine, methionine, tryptophan), as well as trace elements - phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese.
Calorie content of pine nuts
per 100 g - 671 kcal:
- Proteins - 24.0 g
- Fat - 55.0 g
- Carbohydrates - 20.0 g
Useful properties of pine nuts
A valuable oil is obtained from pine nuts, which is especially popular in cosmetology. After squeezing it, there is cake (meal), which is further processed and used as a flavoring additive. The walnut shell is of great benefit, it is used to prepare balsams and tinctures. In folk medicine, a shell infusion is popular, which acts as an analgesic, astringent and anti-inflammatory agent. It helps with hemorrhoids, urolithiasis, deafness, liver disease, and externally it is lubricated to eliminate unwanted hair (with hirsutism), rubbing (gout, rheumatism, body aches, colds, joint pain).
It is recommended to add a fresh decoction of the shell to medicinal baths. Such baths help with ailments of the cardiovascular system, salt deposition, arthritis, osteochondrosis. In the case of skin diseases (eczema, lichen, abscesses) or burns, wraps and lotions with the same decoction are permissible.
Crush the nuts and crush them. Add a little natural honey to them and boldly use the healing mixture for the treatment of diseases such as chronic pancreatitis, gastritis, bulbitis, stomach ulcer, 12 duodenal ulcer.
The beneficial properties of pine nuts are confirmed by many facts from history. So, according to academician Pallas, in the 19th century, baths with the addition of husk and cake of cedar seeds were actively used to treat consumptive patients. Now in Siberia, this wonderful gift of nature with might and main is used for vitamin deficiency, underweight, to recover from illness and increase immune defense.
Application in cosmetology
Note to brown-haired women: to give your hair a luxurious chestnut shade, it is enough to rinse the strands with decoction of nutshells several times after washing your hair.
Harm and contraindications of pine nuts
If you come across low-quality pine nuts, affected by fungus, rancid or rotten, do not rush to eat them. Eating such foods can cause serious health problems, such as impairing taste. Often peeled are on sale, after consumption of which a metallic taste appears after a couple of days, which should disappear over time. This suggests that in a refined form, they quickly deteriorate due to the high percentage of fat. Therefore, it is advisable to store them in the refrigerator, because they have a lot of oil.
Contraindications include individual intolerance (allergies are possible). Pine nuts should also not be given to very young children, since small grains can easily enter the respiratory tract, causing unpleasant consequences.
Another harm from eating pine nuts is weight gain. Despite all the beneficial properties, for women who want to lose weight, the calorie content of this product is somehow confusing (671 kcal). But just because of the high calorie content, you should not give up your favorite nuts once and for all. Can be added to a diet salad in the amount of 20 g, which is only 135 kcal. Agree, this is not so much, while 60 g of peeled kernels is 400 kcal, which is comparable to the calorie content of a normal dinner.
Last but not least, buy nuts at harvest time, which are harvested from August to October. Or, when purchasing, pay attention to the specified production date falling within this period. If you decide to fry them, then cook without oil, otherwise the oil in the pine nuts will be converted into a carcinogen.
Video about picking and cleaning pine nuts in the Siberian taiga:
