Brazil nut, calorie content, nutritional value, the useful and harmful properties of which are highly controversial, is by and large not a nut at all. It is the fruit of a gigantic high Bertolite tree, classified by nerds as a box with a hard shell and grains inside. It is he who is known to the whole world under the name "Brazil nut", has a specific taste and buttery texture.
Bertoletia high
Bertoleia, or bertolecia, high is the only species of the same genus from the Lecithis family. It is common in the virgin rain forests of the Amazon in Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Guyana, Brazil, Peru. In small quantities it is cultivated on plantations, but due to the specifics of pollination of the plant, their productivity is extremely low compared to wild trees.
Bertolite is high, or the Brazil nut that is familiar to everyone (calorie content and properties - hereinafter) is one of the largest trees in the Amazon rainforest. It is a long-liver (500 years or more) and reaches a height of 30-45 m. The trunk with a diameter of up to 1-2 m, even and straight, gives branching to approximately ¾ part of the height and forms an even spherical crown.
Pollination and fruiting
Abundant fruiting is possible only in the untouched virgin forests of the Amazon, where bumblebees and large bees of separate genera, pollinators, live in sufficient numbers. This is due to the structure of the flower of the plant and the characteristics of nectar. Only large insects with long proboscis can reach it. Moreover, the eternal companions of Bertoletia are orchids, attracting bees and bumblebees with their aroma.
The fruit ripens in 1 year and 2 months after pollination. It is a box with a very dense shell, resembles a coconut in appearance , has a diameter of 10-15 cm and a weight of up to 2 kg. Inside the fetus there are from 8 to 24 grains of a triangular shape. They are usually called the Brazil nut, which is absolutely wrong in the botanical sense.
Nutritional value of Brazil nut
Nutritious Brazil nut, calorie content 100 gr. which can be compared with 1 kg of apples or a slightly smaller number of bananas, has a number of useful and amazing qualities. Its composition includes 69% of fats (saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated in the ratio of 25%, 41%, 24%, respectively), 18% of proteins and 13% of carbohydrates, as well as a significant amount of selenium, magnesium and vitamin B 1 (thiamine). The taste of Brazil nuts is specific, connoisseurs give it much lower grades than cashews and almonds.
Brazil nut: calories
As mentioned above, Brazil nut consists of almost 70% of fats of various categories. In this regard, it is easy to guess that the calorie content of the product will be very high. The nutritional value of 100 g of the product is 682 kcal. Therefore, you should not be particularly carried away by its use in food, especially to those who have problems with excess weight, as well as a high tendency to allergies.
For comparison, it should be said that 100 g of almonds, walnuts , cashews, hazelnuts contain 576, 654, 553, 628 kcal, respectively. In order for the body to receive a daily dose of the necessary vitamins and minerals, it is enough to eat one Brazil nut. The calorie content of 1 pc is about 35 kcal, as the average grain weight is about 5 grams. In addition, a nut will quench a feeling of hunger.
Beneficial features
The secret of the benefits of Brazil nuts lies in its unique composition. Firstly, it should be noted the high content of vitamins of groups B, C, E and D, which are of great importance for both the adult and the children's body. Secondly, Brazil nuts contain several amino acids: folic, pantothenic, betaine and arginine. Each of them makes a certain contribution to human health. Thirdly, fatty acids in the composition of this product contribute to the purification of blood vessels from cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease.
Selenium as part of a Brazil nut
Selenium is an important trace element for the body, it contains a significant amount of Brazil nut. The calorie content in 1 piece of the fruit is small, but by eating it, you get half the daily dose of the element, which is 100 mcg. Perhaps this is the richest natural source of selenium. Studies show that trace elements reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer. Therefore, Brazil nuts are often recommended for preventive purposes, however, this must be done regularly and for a certain time. There is an opinion about the beneficial effect of the fetal components on the thyroid gland and female hormonal background, as well as on increasing the chances of pregnancy and its successful course.
Contraindications
Despite the many wonderful properties and excellent composition, a Brazil nut, whose calorie content is quite high, has some contraindications for use. It is dangerous for allergy sufferers. This is especially true if there is already an established allergy to any other nuts, as well as mangoes. In this case, the probability that it will provoke a negative reaction of the body is very high.
How to choose and how to store
Due to the fact that the shell of a Brazil nut contains a certain toxic substance, it goes on sale, as a rule, in a purified form. When choosing a product, pay attention to its appearance. It should have a dense texture (not to be too light, wrinkled) and be dark brown. Brazil nut calorie has a high due to the high content of fat in its composition, and it is they who make it a perishable product. Therefore, when buying, pay attention to the smell. Brazil nuts should not smell like rancid fat.
It is best to store the fruits in the refrigerator, in a dark place, for up to three months.
Using a Brazil nut
First of all, Brazil nuts should be eaten fresh. You can lightly dry them in a hot pan, sweeten or salt. In addition, the fruit is popular in cooking, especially in the preparation of puddings, pesto sauce, fudge, snacks, vegetable and fruit salads. Due to its high fat content, Brazil nuts are often squeezed to produce oil, which is used in various fields. It has a yellow color and a characteristic sweet smell and taste. Oil is used, for example, in cosmetology as a skin moisturizing and softening agent rich in vitamin E youth, in cooking, in the pharmaceutical industry, and even for the lubrication of watch movements.
The global collection of Brazil nuts is approximately 20 thousand tons. Moreover, the lion's share belongs to Bolivia and Brazil - 50% and 40% respectively, and only 10% - to Peru. Brazil nuts are exported exclusively from wild plantations deep in the Amazon rainforest. In addition to fruits, bertolite wood also has good qualities.
The unique chemical composition and high nutritional value are what distinguishes the Brazil nut. The calorie content of the fruits does not allow them to be consumed in too much quantity, but this is not necessary. 1-2 nuts a day are enough to give the body valuable fats and minerals that contribute to improving health and prolonging youth.