The chestnut is popular in many countries of the world. It is especially appreciated in Italy and France, where it is called the bread tree. Every year, the inhabitants of neighboring countries celebrate a chestnut party. In Turkey they are roasted, roasted to the grill and boil.
In England, hot grain bags are sold through the streets at Christmas. They are highly appreciated in southern Russia, Ukraine and Transcáucaso, where they also produce delicious fruits. Let’s find out what the chestnut, its composition and its caloric content is for. Who is especially recommended for. Who should refrain from this delicious product.
What is the chestnut
In nature there are lush spiky cup brown that give delicious fruits. This name refers to two very different species of trees:
- The fruits of the real or noble gender silt can consume as human food.
- The chestnuts of Aresculus who grow in the streets are uncomfortable and bitter to taste. In large quantities they can cause poisoning. Indian Castaños are useful as animal food, as well as in pharmacy, cosmetics and traditional medicine.
Sapidae. They also differ in their appearance:
- The globose bulb of the nobl e-looking tree looks like an bristling hedgehog or the brochures of a child’s cap. The fruit of the horse, on the other hand, has few thorns or simple tubers.
- The modest white inflorescences of the edible chestnut are hidden among the foliage. The chestnut of Indies blooms with white-rod flowers in the form of a pyramidal brush, scented with honey aroma. Therefore, Russian Dachas owners use it as an ornamental plant.
- The fruits of both species do not differ in color.
The small trees of the beech family grow on the slopes of the Mediterranean mountains, the Atlantic coast, the Balkan countries and the Southeast Asia. They are also found in Caucasus and Crimea.
Castaño species
There are several species of chestnut in nature:
- Japanese peas chestnut;
- European planting brown;
- Chinese Castaño.
Castaños who grow in Europe are the greatest and most powerful. Some species can live up to 1000 years. The performance of each tree reaches 200 kg. The best known European varieties are the Neapolitan, large fruits, Lilac and Lyon bours. The fruits of all varieties have a pleasant sweet taste.
The Japanese have raised more than 100 varieties of their own edible chestnut. The trees do not exceed 15 m high and produce fruits of 80 grams of weight. They are resistant to frost and very resistant to pests.
Chinese chestnuts, who grow in Vietnam, Korea and southern Russia, are also of small stature. But it is their fruits that are considered a delicacy. They are used in oriental cuisine for their great flavor.
Chemical composition of chestnuts
Chestnut is a unique product. Its grains are nutritious and full of energy. Roasted and raw chestnuts contain the nutrients indicated in the following table.
| Energy value per 100 grams of product | Fresh | Fries |
| Proteins | 1. 5 г | 3. 15 |
| Fats | 1. 27 г | 2,3 |
| Carbohydrates | 43, 2 | 47. 9 |
Protein/fat/carbohydrates ratio: 7%/11%/105%. Nutritional value of 100 grams of roasted fruit:
- 0. 400 g of saturated fatty acids;
- fiber 5. 0 g;
- 40. 10 g of water.
The chemical composition of 100 grams of fried product is presented in the table.
| Vitamins | Amount | Minerals | Amount |
| Betacarotene | 0. 012 mg | Calcium | 28 mg |
| A | 1mcg | Magnesium | 30 mg |
| B1 | 0. 25 mg | Sodium | 2 mg |
| B2 | 0. 18 mg of sodium | Potassium | 590 mg |
| B6 | 0. 5 mg | Match | 100 mg |
| B9 | 68 µg | Iron | 0. 9 mg |
| C | 25 mg | Zinc | 0. 5 mg |
| K | 7. 5 mcg | Copper | 500 mg |
| PP | 1. 32 mg | Manganese | 1. 2 mg |
| Hill | 1. 3 mg | Selenium | 1. 3 µg |
Chestnuts contain useful organic acids – Malic, citrus, lactic, as well as globulin, lecithin. They contain flavonoids, pectins and tannins.
Caloric value per 100 grams
The energy value of chestnuts is not only provided by the incoming components. Its value is very influenced by the transformation method. The caloric value (kcal) of 100 grams of raw chestnut differs from that of thermally processed nuts:
- boiled or stews – 130
- Frigues – 180
- Fresco – 165;
- Baked or steamed – 58.
The fruits of the new harvest have a sweet and pleasant taste. Once cooked, they resemble potatoes.
Chestnut properties for the organism
Chestnuts have beneficial effects on all human organs thanks to their varied chemical composition. Health benefits:
- The fruit and skin contain fiber. This is necessary to stimulate intestinal peristalsism, as well as to eliminate harmful substances from the organism.
- The rich potassium, magnesium content, calcium strengthens heart muscle, blood vessels, eliminates night cramps in pimples.
- Vitamins intervene in all the organism’s metabolic processes. Increase immunity, they inhibit the viability of fungi, bacteria, viruses.
- Folic acid strengthens the immune system, supports the function of the nervous system.
- Tannins have an astringent effect, they stop the bleeding.
Chestnuts are useful for their ability to contribute pectins to the body. They have the ability to reduce the acidity of gastric juice, which is important for people with pancreatic diseases.
What are the benefits of chestnuts?
People fell in love with fruit not only for its beauty and delicious flavor. Chestnuts are well studied The benefits and damage are irreplaceable to human beings. In medicine, all parts of the noble kind of trees are used. After all, this plant is an excellent healer.
When the monthly cycle is painful, 30 drops of living flowers are diluted in two teaspoons of water and drink twice a day.
For the external treatment of the joints, compresses of the edible fruit are used. Preparation method:
- Crush 50 grams of raw chestnuts with a blender or pass them through a meat chopper.
- Mix with 300 ml of camphor oil until you get a homogeneous mixture.
- Apply a thin layer of ointment on a gauze cloth. Apply on the joint, cover with parchment and leave on for a few hours. The treatment lasts 10 days.
For dry cough a decoction of the green leaves of the noble tree is used. They contain vitamin C, k, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, routine, pectin. The potion prepares according to a recipe:
- 2 teaspoons of crushed raw materials pour a glass of water.
- Boil for 5 minutes.
- Take the decoction after straining a warm form, a sip during the day.
The remedy has a therapeutic effect on bronchitis, chronic diarrhea, joint pain. Doctors advise to take the decoction in case of atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, gynecological diseases caused by a poor blood supply to the pelvic organs.
For men and women
Compared to nuts, chestnuts contain less fat and more carbohydrates, which are energy sources. Therefore, chestnuts are recommended to athletes before and after training. The presence of proteins makes them suitable for vegetarian women and men. Chestnuts are an excellent substitute for peas and beans in the diet. A note on the margin lately, people who lead a healthy lifestyle include them in their menus.
In the case of women, this fruit helps in many cases:
- They treat the varicose veins. Foot baths made with fruit strengthen vascular walls, maintaining muscle tone.
- Chestnuts reduce pain during menstruation. Pelvic vessels dilate, increasing the exit of the blood.
- The stimulation of blood circulation improves the functioning of female reproductive organs. This property is used in the treatment of menopause, gynecological diseases caused by the stagnation of blood in the pelvis.
- Abundant fiber consumption, which sets fat in intestines, favors weight loss. However, it is necessary to eat a reasonable amount consulting a nutritionist.
The benefits of male health chestnut manifest in an increase in power and erections. The saponin content determines the production of the testosterone sexual hormone. The fruit tincture is used in the treatment of prostate adenoma. Chestnuts are useful for men from 40 years as a safe alternative to increase power.
The large amount of ascorbic acid significantly reinforces the immune system. Chestnuts are useful for colds and viral infections of the upper respiratory tract.
For children
Chestnuts are a difficult food for babies’ stomach. Pediatricians believe that the child’s digestive system is mature enough to eat this product only at the age of 4-5 years. Its consumption at an earlier age causes swelling and constipation. Children over 5 should only take roasted or boiled chestnuts in the form of puree or added to the soup.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Chestnuts should not be consumed during pregnancy. The effects on the circulatory system are undesirable during pregnancy.
Chestnuts are not used during breastfeeding. Attention. The product can cause allergies in the baby or abdominal pain. Chestnut ointments and creams are sometimes used with the authorization of a doctor.
For older people
Older people are prone to constipation due to intestinal atony. The high fiber level of chestnuts has a positive effect on the digestive system of the elderly:
- Fiber stimulates peristalsism of intestinal walls and accelerates the progress of the food bulk.
- Fiber league and eliminates harmful fats in intestines, thus reducing the deposition of cholesterol plates in blood vessels.
Potential damage and contraindications
The beneficial properties and contraindications of the nut and chestnut are well known in medicine. There are some restrictions on the use of fruit. Among them are the following restrictions
- Allergies in people susceptible to the components of the grains;
- INDIVIDUAL INTOLERANCE TO PRODUCT
- reduction of blood coagulation;
- stomach hemorrhage;
- hypotension;
- renal insufficiency.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding; children under 5 years.
The presence of starch and sugar is contraindicated for diabetics. Attention. The glycemic index of the fruit is 60 units. This means that chestnuts increase blood sugar.
Due to the presence of carbohydrates, nuts in large quantities can be harmful to obese or prone to weight gain. But boiled or steamed nuts have the lowest nutritional value. The caloric value of toasted nuts increases, which is not good for the figure.
How to choose chestnuts
Chestnuts should be bought at the time of collection, when they are full of good natural ingredients for the body. Chestnuts mature between September and November. When buying them, pay attention to the criteria to choose a good quality product:
- a bright brown color of smooth and spots without spots;
- the sensation of the weight of the grain;
- The size of the fruit.
When you buy chestnuts in the store, pay attention to the production date and to the expiration date that appear on the label. Caution. When buying in the market, make sure it is a edible chestnut. Chestnuts from Indies are also sold.
How to cook and eat chestnuts
Chestnuts eat boiled, roasted or baked. It is difficult to eat this nutritious fruit in excess. It is not possible to eat more than 7-10 nuts at the same time. For lovers of this tasty fruit, it is useful to know the benefits and damages of edible chestnuts and how to prepare the dishes. In the kitchen, the grains are used in different ways:
- They are used to fill in poultry;
- They are used to make mazipan and chocolate;
- They are scratch in the form of pasta for toast and breakfast sandwiches;
- They are added to soups of different compositions;
- canned, confited, added to vegetable salads, combined with seafood;
- Simply steamed in thinning diets;
- It is used as garrison and seasoning of meat dishes;
- bake panecillos, bread and cakes;
- Put in gachas and coffee drinks to diversify the taste.
French cream
We propose to prepare a tasty chestnut cream soup. To cook it, you will need half a kilo of peeled fruit, 1 liter of vegetable or meat broth, 1 onion, 2 carrots and celery. Step by step recipe:
- Boil the chestnuts in water for 5 minutes and then remove the skin.
- Put the broth and chestnuts over medium heat.
- Fry the onion and grated carrots.
- Put them in the broth, add the herbs and cook until the chestnuts are ready.
- Beat the soup ready with a blender. To give flavor, dress with sour cream or cream.
The rapid method in the oven
In the absence of time, chestnuts can simply be cooked in the oven. Soak raw chestnuts in cold water for thirty minutes. To peel the chestnuts, make an incision on the side. Place the grains on a baking sheet, covered with a wet towel. After 30 minutes, the fruit will remind you of itself with a tempting aroma.
Harmless roasted chestnuts from an expert
To savor the roasted grains, get first and then, have them without adding oil:
- Cut the shells transversely.
- Boil them for 20 minutes.
- Peel the chestnuts.
The hot chestnuts will jump out of the pan if they do not peel before. When the skins begin to crack, it is time to eat them.
Precautions
The uncontrolled consumption of the fruit causes digestive disorders in some people:
- swelling;
- constipation or diarrhea
- Vomiting;
- Headaches.
In most cases, swelling is due to fried fruits in oil. They are not suitable for people with liver diseases, gallbladder and pancreas.
You can get intoxicated with old or molded chestnuts. Water, use them advice before using the product you have bought. Fresh chestnuts sink in the background and the old or infested of worms float.
If you have nausea or intestinal discomfort, you immediately rinse the stomach. Drink 3-4 glasses of water with gas and press the root of the tongue to cause vomiting. Put 1 tablespoon of sodium bicarbonate for each liter. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times until the stomach is completely clean of food.
Conservation and conditions
Fresh chestnuts do not resist prolonged storage. In a vacuum bag or a tightly closed jar at low temperature they retain its useful properties no more than two weeks. Then, the seeds gradually lose their peel and nutritional value.
Fresh chestnuts can be kept in the freezer up to six months. Boiled or roast chestnuts can be kept up to one year.
The tasty and nutritious brown benefit men, women and children in moderation. The edible fruit is mainly used to cook. The chestnut of the Indies is more suitable for medicinal use.
