What is useful for walnut jam — 8 properties

Walnut jam retains almost all the beneficial properties of whole fruits, despite heat treatment.

Dessert contains many valuable vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in the composition inherent in whole nuts. It can improve the health of the heart and blood vessels, improve the functioning of the intestines and brain, prevent obesity and even protect against cancer.

8 proven properties

The main facts about the benefits of using walnut jam are described below (based on scientific sources of information).

1. It is saturated with nutrients

Walnuts have a high energy value (over 600 calories per 100 grams), and also contain a lot of vitamins (B1-2, B4-6, B9, E, H, PP), minerals (potassium, manganese, phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium) and antioxidants.

Nuts are 65% fat (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, alpha-linoleic acid). These nutrients protect the cardiovascular and endocrine systems from the development of chronic diseases.

Antioxidants (ellagic and phytic acids, catechin, melatonin) give special value to jam. They prevent the appearance of malignant tumors and normalize the functional activity of the vascular walls.

2. Normalizes cholesterol levels

Regular dosed consumption of nut jam will reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and, as a result, diseases such as coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction, chronic cerebral ischemia and stroke.

The action is implemented through the following mechanisms ( 1 , 2 , 3 ):

• Suppression of chronic inflammation (chronic inflammation contributes to the development of any chronic pathologies of the cardiovascular system);
• Improvement of endothelial function (strengthening the inner wall of the arteries allows you to slow down the deposition of cholesterol crystals);
• Reduction of total cholesterol and low–density lipoproteins – LDL (increased cholesterol in the blood is a key risk factor for the formation of atherosclerotic plaques ).

Jam and other products based on walnuts are recommended to be consumed regularly by men and women of older age groups to maintain overall health and prevent cardiovascular pathologies.

Scientists claim that with regular intake of nuts, life expectancy even increases.

3. Fighting cancer

Walnuts are a source of many antioxidants ( phytosterols , tocopherol, omega-3 fatty acids, ellagic acid , polyphenols ).

These biologically active substances destroy free radicals and protect cells from destruction or malignant degeneration.

Modern science has been able to establish the effectiveness of walnuts against tumors of the following organs:

• Prostate gland in men;
• Mammary glands in women;
• Of the large intestine;
• Rectum;
• Bone and joint system.

In experiments on rodents carried out under the supervision of scientists from the USA, isolated fractions of nuts suppressed the rate of division of mammary tumor cells by 80%, and their regular intake made it possible to reduce the risk of this pathology by almost 2 times.

4. Normalizes brain function

The effect of nuts on the central nervous system is multifaceted.

According to the data Spanish scientists, walnuts can improve the general condition of people suffering from depression and other depressive disorders.

Dutch experts installed positive the effect of nuts on cognitive functions (memory and thinking, attention and speed of psychosensory reactions).

The works of specialists from the USA deserve special attention. They discovered the ability of walnuts to reduce the likelihood of the manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases (for example, Alzheimer's disease).

5. Restores intestinal function

According to the works of German scientists, regular intake of walnuts leads to an increase in the number of friendly microorganisms in the lumen of the large intestine. Against the background of this process, the number of pathogenic and opportunistic representatives of the microflora decreases.

With adequate microbiocenosis, the intestine works smoothly – the absorption and digestion of nutrients improves, the frequency of stools normalizes, constipation is less common, and the likelihood of exacerbation of chronic pathologies decreases.

Walnuts also rich in fiber . Dietary fiber plays an important role in regulating the motor evacuation function of the colon.

6. Does not contribute to the appearance of excess weight

Taking small doses of nut jam does not cause the appearance of excess fat deposits, despite its high calorie content and the presence of sugar.

The works of American specialists show that the energy that the human body receives from nuts is 1/5 less than expected (due to the action of antioxidants).

Nuts can also reduce hunger. The dietary fibers of walnuts increase in size after entering the stomach and cause mechanical overgrowth of the walls. As a result, through reflex mechanisms, the activity of hunger centers in the brain decreases. The effect lasts for at least 4-8 hours.

In small volumes, the product can be used to maintain and reduce body weight. It is ideal for diets aimed at gaining muscle mass.

7. Reduces blood pressure

Walnuts have a unique combination of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, minerals (manganese, magnesium, potassium) and antioxidants that regulate metabolic processes in the walls of arteries.

Studies carried out under the supervision of scientists from Spain, show that the use of nuts and products based on them can slightly reduce blood pressure and reduce the likelihood of developing hypertension.

However, the main advantage of nuts is the inhibition of fibrous transformation of the muscular wall of arterial vessels, which always occurs with unstable blood pressure levels. As a result, the walls retain their elasticity and become less brittle.

8. Improves male reproductive health

Male potency and viability of spermatozoa is one of the main topics of problems in modern medicine.

Improper eating behavior (abundance of sugars, processed foods and refined grains in the diet) and a low-activity lifestyle lead leads to a decrease in the functional activity of the genital gametes and a decrease in libido.

It has been proven that regular consumption of nuts allows you to improve morphological (shape, size) and functional (viability, mobility) parameters of spermatozoa.

An increase in blood flow to the penis, an expansion of the lumen of the cavernous and cavernous bodies were also found.

Contraindications

Walnut jam is usually well tolerated, although it has contraindications.

In rare cases, the development of such adverse reactions is possible:

1. Slowing down the absorption of nutrients. Walnut phytic acid inhibits the absorption of zinc and iron. The product is not recommended for people suffering from anemia.
2. Exacerbation of chronic intestinal diseases. Taking jam in large volumes causes an increase in the production of digestive juices. Against this background, chronic pathologies of the stomach and intestines (gastritis, duodenitis, enteritis, peptic ulcer, etc.) may worsen.
3. Allergy. Allergic reactions are caused by sensitization of the body to certain components of plants and usually occur in severe form (anaphylactic shock, angioedema). Local reactions (skin rashes, itching, etc.) are rare.

Jam can be taken during pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding. Studies conducted to date have not been able to prove harm to the fetus or the child in the first years of life.

Step-by-step recipe

It is quite easy to prepare a special dessert and stock up on it for the winter at home.

To do this, you need:

1. 1000 grams of green (young) walnuts with peel;
2. 500 grams of slaked lime;
3. 800 grams (as little as possible) of sugar;
4. 10 sprigs of cloves;
5. A pinch of citric acid;
6. Water – according to need.

Cooking scheme:

1. Rinse the nuts thoroughly. Pour cold water (to the top). Do not remove the peel.
2. Let it brew in any dark, cool place for about 2 days. The water will turn a little green. It is recommended to change the liquid every 6-8 hours.
3. Prepare the solution: mix slaked lime and cold water, mix, let stand for 20-25 minutes.
4. Drain the water in which the nuts were, pour in a solution of lime. Leave it on for 24 hours. The fruits may darken; orange, brown or black spots may appear.
5. Rinse the nuts thoroughly with water. If the nuts are large, cut in half or into quarters.
6. Heat 1,000 ml of water to a boil, immerse the nuts. Cook for about 20-25 minutes.
7. Drain the water and rinse the nuts again.
8. Re-immerse the nuts in 1000 ml of boiling water, cook for 30 minutes. Rinse the nuts again. They have become much darker, which is normal.
9. Mix sugar and 2,000 ml of water, simmer for about 25-30 minutes (until a homogeneous syrup is obtained). Add citric acid and cloves, mix well.
10. Immerse the nuts in the syrup, bring to a boil and cook for 5-10 minutes.
11. Turn off the gas, let it stand for 1 hour.
12. Then boil the nuts again for 5-10 minutes and let stand for 1 hour. Repeat the procedure up to 3-6 times (until the nuts are soft enough).
13. Pour the resulting jam into sterilized jars, roll up. The jam is ready.

Storage Tips

Nut jam is a fastidious product that requires not only a special approach to cooking, but also storage. Let's consider the main nuances:

1. How to store jam . The product can retain its taste and aroma for up to 9-12 months. It is recommended to store at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees in a place protected from light (especially sunlight).
2. Which nuts to choose . It is better to make jam from young green walnuts. Harvesting is preferably carried out in mid-to late June.
3. How much and when can I eat . It is not recommended to take more than 3-4 tablespoons of dessert per day. The ideal reception time is in the morning (at breakfast or after lunch).
4. What can be combined with . The dish is consumed in its pure form (with tea or coffee), it harmonizes well with natural apple pastille.

Conclusion

1. Jam made from young walnuts is not only delicious and fragrant, but also a healthy dessert that can be easily prepared at home.
2. For the dish, it is better to use early nuts that have not yet lost their natural green color. It is also important to observe the cooking technology, otherwise the jam will turn out to be hard, and the taste will not be revealed.
3. It is important to remember that any jam is a high–calorie product, so you need to carefully normalize consumption.
4. When taken rationally, the product improves the health of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, helps to reduce weight and creates protection from malignant tumors, normalizes the work of the intestines and brain.