Pumpkin

Pumpkin is type of squash and one of the best known sources of beta carotene, converted into vitamin A in the body. This makes it great for fighting certain cancers, maintaining eye health and preventing macular degeneration and cataract. Pumpkin is good for heart health and lowering blood pressure. It promotes fullness and is very filling while low in calories, helping with weight management. Both vitamin A and C help boost immunity and vitamins C and E additionally promote good and healthy skin.

Kidney bean

Kidney bean is an excellent plant based source of protein and fiber. It is also high in starch, but since this type is a slow-release carb and bean has low glycemic index, it is beneficial for diabetics, not causing fast and high rises in blood sugar. Kidney bean is rich in phosphorus and manganese, reduces cholesterol and improves heart health, lowers risk of heart disease, boosts digestion and prevents colon cancer. Although rich in iron, it might not be very accessible due to phytate content in beans that reduces iron absorption. Bean is very rich in folate, benefiting red blood cells formation and development during pregnancy. It is favorite among athletes due to its combination of energy boosting carbohydrates, muscle building protein and low fat content. Finally, it promotes fullness and is a great choice for weight management.

Pecan

Pecan has distinctive buttery texture and slightly sweet, but bitter taste, making it used mostly in desserts and salads. Together with macadamia nut, it is highest in fat content among all nuts and is particularly rich in copper and manganese. Monounsaturated fats together with phenolic antioxidants promote heart health and lower cholesterol levels. Like other nuts, pecan is packed with fiber and if consumed in moderation, promotes fullness and benefits weight management. Fiber content keeps digestive system healthy and prevents constipation. Pecan is rich in antioxidant ellagic acid that can protect from certain cancer forms. Magnesium levels provide anti-inflammatory benefits and lower blood pressure. Pecan can also slow down skin ageing, thanks to ellagic acid, vitamin A and E. Combination of different nutrients, mainly zinc, makes pecan great immunity booster. Among other nutrients, it also contains iron and significant amounts of flavonoids. Low sugar levels make it an excellent choice for diabetes prevention and management and slowing down blood sugar spikes.

Peanut

Peanut is a favorite snack of athletes due to high content of protein and fiber and low percentage of carbohydrates. Healthy fats and quality protein and fiber make it a very filling food, contributing to weight management. Although peanut protein has many health benefits, it can cause severe allergies in some people. Thanks to healthy fats it contains, as well as magnesium, copper and antioxidants, peanut is a good choice for maintaining heart health. Eating raw peanuts with skin provides most antioxidant benefits. Being relatively low in carbohydrates with low glycemic index and rich in fiber and fat, it represents diabetes friendly food. Furthermore, peanut is one of the best sources of biotin, a B vitamin converting food into energy, promoting hair and nail health, regulating blood sugar and supporting healthy pregnancy.

Macadamia

Macadamia nut is native to Australia and has buttery, creamy texture. Like other nuts, it contains loads of healthy monounsaturated fats, making it beneficial for heart health and lowering cholesterol levels. It is rich in antioxidants fighting inflammation, especially flavonoids, as well as vitamin E. Palmitoleic acid or omega-7 fatty acid found in these nuts is good for skin and hair growth, heart health, prevents high blood pressure and diabetes and promotes fullness. Like other nuts, it aids weight management due to high protein and fiber and low carbohydrate content. Despite high fat content, some of the fats don’t get absorbed during digestion.

Chickpea

Chickpea has high fiber and protein content that makes it excellent meat replacement. It is considered that the protein of chickpea is of higher quality than in other legumes, containing almost all essential amino acids. It promotes fullness and aids weight management and is high in vitamin B6, copper, phosphorus and iron. Chickpea reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels and protects heart. It is also one of the best sources of folate. Consuming chickpea promotes production of butyrate, decreasing the risk of colon cancer and other nutrients in chickpea also help reduce cancer risk, such as saponins. Presence of choline improves brain and nervous system function. Chickpea is good for people with diabetes and has low glycemic index as well as decent amounts of magnesium and zinc, that can lower the risk of this health issue.

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