…Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. (Genesis 43:11).
Nuts play a significant role in the diet of most Seventh-day Adventists, and science has found that pistachios and almonds are two of the healthiest types of nuts because they are packed with nutrients. They are high in protein, fiber, vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and other healthy fats and are low in unhealthy saturated fat. They promote healthy bacteria in your gut, decrease inflammation in your body, and reduce risks for heart disease, stroke, and even certain cancers.
Walnuts can help with weight control, they help to preserve good brain function and lessen risks for problems like dementia, and they help reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics.
An ounce of nuts is considered one serving and those who eat a serving several times a week have been shown to live several years longer than those who don’t eat nuts, and the more often people eat nuts, the lower their risk of premature death.
If you are allergic to nuts, you can replace them with seeds in your diet like sunflower, pumpkin, and sesame seeds which are also good sources of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Seeds and nuts can be eaten plain, roasted, or as butters and milks.
Peanuts are legumes, like beans, but most of us think of them as nuts and they have all the health benefits of seeds and nuts.