Chestnut Purée and Its Numerous Health Benefits

Every season beckons us with delicious fruits and vegetables, but autumn outperforms the others with a variety of apples, grapes, quince, pears, walnuts, plums, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, carrots and chestnuts just to name a few.

Edible chestnuts are harvested from the end of September until November, and you can buy them from supermarkets or markets. They have been a valued food source in various cultures, such as the Chinese one. Chestnuts have been cultivated in China for more than 6,000 years, compared to 3,000 years in Europe. Greeks have deemed these nuts as superior to hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts.

You can eat them cooked in soups or other recipes, roasted or, if you want to benefit from its health benefits, you can prepare a delicious chestnut purée.

Chestnut purée

Take 1 kilo (2.2 pounds) of chestnuts, wash them and then boil them for 45 minutes. Let them cool, then peel them. Mash them into a purée using a blender or food processor. Chestnut purée can treat or improve symptoms of various medical conditions and illnesses such as chronic renal disease, hemorrhoids or varicose veins.

• Hemorrhoids, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis

Consume two servings of chestnut purée daily for several weeks on an empty stomach in the morning and evening, before having a meal. You can sweeten it with a little honey.

• Chronic Renal Disease

Consume one serving of chestnut purée, three times a day before meals for at least 14 days. Compared to other nuts, chestnuts have a lower concentration of oxalates (compounds that favor the formation of kidney stones).

Other benefits of chestnuts

• Diabetes

Foods that are high in dietary fiber, such as chestnuts, can prevent diabetes. They are low glycemic foods so they will keep blood sugar at normal levels, making it rise more slowly. This way, drops and spikes in blood sugar will be prevented, keeping diabetes away from those currently unaffected and controlling it in patients with this medical condition.

•  Immune System Health

Chestnuts contain a high concentration of Vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals in the body and improving the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells.

• Bone Mineral Density

Magnesium and copper are good for bone health, helping the body absorb iron, another crucial element in the development of bones. Therefore, chestnuts can prevent many bone-related medical conditions, such as osteoporosis.

• Digestive Issues

From all types of nuts, chestnuts have the highest content of dietary fiber, which regulates bowel movements and prevents discomfort and inflammation. It also optimizes the nutrients’ absorption and improves the overall nutritious profile.

• Cognition

Vitamins B and potassium improve brain function and neurological development, promote the health of the nervous system and increase food flow to the brain. Your memory, retention, and concentration will be improved only by adding chestnuts to your diet.

• Blood Pressure

Chestnuts contain potassium that controls water movement in the body, releases tension in the constricted blood arteries and vessels and functions as a vasodilator. This will reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks and boost cardiovascular health.

If you want to take benefit of all the advantages of chestnuts, make sure you consume them fresh, and not the pre-packaged ones.