HAVE WALNUTS AND KEEP ALZHEIMER 'S AT BAY

Almonds, cashew nuts,  pistachios and walnuts  are the prime nuts and highly consumed by all. First of all let's know what is a nut in culinary and botanical use ?

According to  the Wikipedia A nut  is a fruit consisting of a hard or tough nutshell protecting a kernel which is usually edible. In general usage and in a culinary sense, a wide variety of dry seeds are called nuts, but in a botanical context "nut" implies that the shell does not open to release the seed.

Dry seeds are edible by humans and used in cooking, eaten raw, sprouted, or roasted as a snack food, ground to make nut butters, or pressed for oil that is used in cooking and cosmetics

The best way to dry seeds is to spread them out so the air can get at each one, and let them naturally dry in the open. Plates, wide bowls, pie plates, baking sheets, or serving trays are all good, as long as the seeds are spread thinly so they dry quickly.

The process of elimination of moisture from the seed is called drying. Seed drying should reduce the seed moisture content to safe moisture limits to maintain its viability and vigour during storage, which may otherwise deteriorate quickly owing to mold growth, heating and enhanced microbial activity.

Nuts provide high amount of energy and are recommended to consume it everyday. Here a few points on the benefits of including walnuts in our diet :

* Walnuts are good for the brain because they have higher levels of DHA, which is important for brain health.

*  Early intervention with a diet rich in walnuts may help maintain cognitive function and delay onset and progression of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

* Researchers suggest that the high antioxidant content of walnuts (3.7 mmol/ounce) may have been a contributing factor in protecting the mouse brain from the degeneration typically seen in Alzheimer's disease. Oxidative stress and inflammation are prominent features in this disease.

* Walnuts take the lead regarding brain health and Eating 2 to 3 oz of walnuts a day as part of a healthful diet will fetch you good results.

Here is a simple recipe of Waldorf salad made with walnuts :

1. Take celery, banana, apples, walnuts and mayonnaise. 

2. Mix all the ingredients together.

3. Season with salt and pepper

4. serve extra mayonnaise separately.

Munch on the  plain nuts or include in the salad, which ever way you enjoy but make sure not to miss walnuts.