Health Benefits of Chilgoza, Uses And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Aug 14, 2020
Chilgoza pine nut are healthy and loaded with antioxidants that help to improve the good cholesterol levels in the body. Pine Nuts (Chilgoza) offers health benefits as in contains zinc which improves the body’s immunity and prevents the occurrence of the common cold. Also, zinc is used to treat infertility. Chilgoza pine nut is a rich source of magnesium that assists in a sound sleep and improves the mood.
Chilgoza pine nut is useful for diabetes patients, too. The nut is a rich source of iron and folate and should be consumed by pregnant women and lactating mothers as they can safely pass on the health benefits to their developing babies. A high level of good fatty acid in the Chilgoza pine nut makes it safe to consume and prevents heart attack. Chilgoza nut contains Vitamins A& E, and other vital nutrients that prevent the growth of cancer.
What is Chilgoza?
Chilgoza is a distinct pine variety found in the regions of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the specific area is the western forest of the Himalayas. This pine variety resembles the shape of stone pines. The Pine Nuts (Chilgoza) is a rich source of carbohydrates and proteins, which make this fruit a good dietary supplement for the body. The trunk girth of the tree is between 3 and 4 meters. The leaves of the Chilgoza pine have a distinct three needles shape, which makes it distinct from others. Chilgoza pine nut can be eaten raw and dry or fried in oil used in salads.
Nutritional Value of Chilgoza
The water content of Chilgoza pine nut is 2.28 per 100 grams. About 100 grams of dry Chilgoza nut would give 673 calories, and it’s rich in minerals, antioxidants and vitamins. The protein value is 13.69 per 100 grams, while the sugar value is just 3.59 per 100 grams, and this makes the Chilgoza pine nut a healthy snack.
Let consider some more nutrition facts of chilgoza nut, Per 100 grams of this nut contains 251 mg of magnesium, and 16 mg of calcium per 100 grams. The value of potassium in the nut is a whopping 597 mg per 100 grams. This nut is also a rich source of folate and iron and hence highly nutritious for pregnant women. About 34 ug folate is present in 100 grams.
Chilgoza pine nut is also rich in Vitamin A and helps people improve their vision. Night blindness can be drastically improved by consuming this nut, daily
Nutritional facts Per 100 grams in Pine Nuts (Chilgoza)
Vitamins and Minerals in Chilgoza Pine Nuts
Health Benefits of Chilgoza Pine Nuts
Chilgoza Dry Fruit Rich source of Zinc
Zinc is an essential element that prevents the causes of infertility. An adequate amount of zinc present in Chilgoza which helps in improving the sperm count and makes the sperm motile for impregnation. Zinc strengthens the immune system, and aids in faster healing of wounds, and prevents the regular occurrence of common cold.
Chilgoza Pine Nuts Rich in Magnesium
Chilgoza pine nut is a rich source of magnesium. Adequate dose of magnesium prevents mood swings and depression. Zinc when consumed at night, helps people to relax their senses and muscles, and facilitates a good night's sleep.
Magnesium aids in the healthy structural development of the bones, hence pregnant and older women who require high bone density for their bodies to work optimally must consume this magical element, regularly. Magnesium present in Chilgoza Pine Nuts facilitates the transport of calcium in the body, and this in turn prevents joint pains and other body aches related to old age. A daily dose of chilgoza nuts promotes healthy heart functioning.
Chilgoza Nuts Rich in iron
Chilgoza pine nut is highly rich in iron. This is a vital nutrient that is needed by the body to store oxygen and transport it to the vital organs. This chilgoza benefits during pregnancy, as it offers right amount of iron extremely beneficial for pregnant women as they get the required dosage of iron. The health and development of the brain of the child is induced if expectant mothers include this in their regular diet.
Chilgoza Pine NutsPrevents Diabetes
Chilgoza Nuts Offers Energy Boost
The Chilgoza pine nut is rich in energy-producing carbohydrates. The nutrients present in this nut lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and improves the good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. The presence of alpha-tocopherol helps the body to convert fats into energy, and this nut is rich in alpha tocopherol and hence induces fat burning process in the body. Squalene is another vital element that helps in faster reduction of LDL cholesterol.
Chilgoza Pine Nuts Good for Heart
Chilgoza pine nut has proper fatty acid composition when compared to other nuts, and that makes this nut beneficial for the heart. 90% of the fat in this nut is unsaturated and thus useful in preventing heart illnesses. The saturated fat in this nut is just limited to 10%, which prevents heart diseases.
Chilgoza Nuts Prevents Binging
Chilgoza pine nuts are an excellent source of appetite suppressant. This hormone makes the stomach feel full, and this ensures the craving for fatty foods is reduced. People seeking a way to lose weight should consume this nut. These pine nuts help in the release of CCK-8 hormone that produces Pinolenic Acid responsible for suppressing the appetite.
Chilgoza Pine Nuts Prevents Virus Attack
By consuming Chilgoza pine nut, spread of influenza and herpes virus can be prevented. The presence of polysaccharides in the nut helps in combating many viruses that threaten health. The nut oil is also known to possess antifungal, antibacterial, and antihypertensive properties. The diuretic effect of Chilgoza pine nut oil makes it an even healthier option to consume it as oil.
Chilgoza Benefits for Skin Health
The Chilgoza pine nut is a rich source of vitamin E and has 9.33 mg per 100 grams. Vitamin E is also known as alpha-tocopherol, and this is useful in keeping skin moisture. Vitamin E is needed by men to produce healthy and motile sperms for impregnation.
Chilgoza Pine Nuts Prevents Cancer
Chilgoza pine nut is a rich source of omega 6 and has a presence of selenium. This helps in the prevention of growth of cancer-causing elements in the body and presence of selenium is useful in infertility treatments.
Chilgoza Nuts Good For Muscle Health
The protein value of Chilgoza pine nut is 24%, which prevents fatigue in muscles. By regularly consuming this nut muscle sprains and pains can be prevented. Lysine is a protein responsible for managing hypertension. It is present in abundant quantity in Chilgoza pine nut, and thus by regularly consuming this nut, you can prevent hypertension.
Chilgoza Pine Nuts High in Anti-oxidants Properties
The Chilgoza pine nut contains different types of anti-oxidants such as Lycophene, Carotenoid, Tocopherols, Catechin, and Gallocatechin. All these anti-oxidants help promote optimal function of organs and keeps the skin healthy. You should eat this nut raw than roasting it, as research indicates that level of anti-oxidants falls when the nut is roasted.
Uses of Chilgoza
The seeds of the Chilgoza pine nut are expensive, and is among the important cash crops produced by Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir in India. The seeds fetch approximately between $ 20 to $53 per kilogram.
Side-Effects & Allergies of Chilgoza
Some people have reported a change in the sensory perception of taste buds upon regularly eating Chilgoza pine nut. The condition termed as pine mouth would last a maximum of one week. Certain people who are sensitive to this nut develop rashes and itching, and sometimes minor cases of indigestion, bloating, vomiting, breathing difficulty and diarrhea is reported.
Origin And Cultivation of Chilgoza
Some people have reported a change in the sensory perception of taste buds upon regularly eating Chilgoza pine nut. The condition termed as pine mouth would last a maximum of one week. Certain people who are sensitive to this nut develop rashes and itching, and sometimes minor cases of indigestion, bloating, vomiting, breathing difficulty and diarrhea is reported.
References
- Xie K, Miles EA, Calder PC. A review of the potential health benefits of pine nut oil and its characteristic fatty acid pinolenic acid. Journal of functional foods. 2016 May 1;23:464-73. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Cabanillas B, Novak N. Allergic reactions to pine nut: A review. J. Investig. Allergol. Clin. Immunol. 2015 Jan 1;25:329-33. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Yu L, Slavin M. 17 Nutraceutical Potential of Pine Nut. Tree Nuts. 2008 Dec 17:285. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
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