To say that walnuts are a nutritious food is a bit of an understatement.

Walnuts provide healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals — and that’s just the beginning of how they may support your health.

The most common variety of walnut is the English walnut.

1. Rich in Antioxidants: Walnuts are an excellent source of antioxidants that can help fight oxidative damage in your body, including damage due to “bad” LDL cholesterol, which promotes atherosclerosis.

2. Super Plant Source of Omega-3s: Walnuts are a good source of the plant form of omega-3 fat, which may help reduce heart disease risk.

3. May Decrease Inflammation:

Inflammation is at the root of many diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, and can be caused by oxidative stress.

Several plant compounds and nutrients in walnuts may help decrease inflammation, which is a key culprit in many chronic diseases.

4. Promotes a Healthy Gut

Studies suggest that if your gut is rich in health-promoting bacteria and other microbes (your gut microbiota), you’re more likely to have a healthy gut and good overall health.

Eating walnuts not only nourishes you but also the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. This promotes the health of your gut and may help reduce disease risk.

5. Supports Weight Control

Walnuts are calorie dense, but studies suggest that the energy absorbed from them is 21% lower than would be expected based on their nutrients.

Though they’re calorie-dense, you may not absorb all of the calories in walnuts. Additionally, they may even help you control appetite and hunger.

6. Supports Good Brain Function

It may be just a coincidence that the shell of a walnut looks like a tiny brain, but research suggests that this nut may indeed be good for your mind.

Walnuts contain nutrients that may help protect your brain from damaging inflammation and support good brain function as you age.

Culled from healthline.com