What Does Soaking Do To Walnuts?
Experts often recommend soaking the nuts, like walnuts, overnight or at least for 4-8 hours and then consume first thing in the morning. This is because of the following reasons:
- It helps wash away a compound called tannins present in the skin of the raw walnuts. Tannins are potent polyphenols that inhibit numerous health benefits such as lowering glucose and reducing blood pressure, however, the tannins in raw walnuts or any nuts, act as anti-nutrients and prevent the absorption of certain nutrients such as iron.
- It helps remove dirt, dust and residues present in the skin of the walnuts.
- It helps remove two-third of the phytic acid that helps promote better absorption of minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium and magnesium. [1]
- It makes the walnuts easier to digest, easier to chew and nutrient-friendly.
- It makes walnuts less astringent.
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How Do Soaked Walnuts Help People With Diabetes?
A study has shown that one oz of walnuts, five times or more a week can help decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes. They help improve endothelial functions and are a part of the Mediterranean diet associated with around 50 per cent reduction in diabetes. [2]
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Rich in omega 3
Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (2.5 g). This fatty acid may help reduce fasting and post-meal glucose levels due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Also, walnuts improve insulin insensitivity in diabetics that may help utilise glucose in a better way. Some studies also say that walnuts could be given with diabetic drug metformin with no drug interaction or adverse effects. [2]
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Rich in antioxidants
A study has shown that walnuts are packed with antioxidants (3.68 mmol/oz) such as ellagic acid, flavonoids, vitamin E, melatonin, tocopherol, selenium and anthocyanins. These compounds may help reduce the risk of diabetes or manage glucose levels in diabetics. [3]
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Rich in fibre
Walnuts contain 6.4 g of fibre per 100 g. When soaked, they become more digestible and chewable. The high fibre content in soaked walnuts may help improve glycemic control and inflammation and thus, helps in diabetes management.
Vitamin E is an essential vitamin in preventing or delaying the risk of diabetes-related complications such as heart diseases. Vitamin E, a fat-soluble and antioxidant vitamin, may help improve cell functions and blood flow. This can prevent the risk of diabetes complications such as poor vision, renal dysfunction, high cholesterol and coronary heart disease. [4]
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Lower cholesterol
Soaked walnuts can help decrease total cholesterol by 0.27 mmol/L and LDL (bad) cholesterol by 0.24 mmol/L and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Omega-3 and phytosterols in walnuts may also help reduce plasma triglycerides or blood cholesterol levels associated with diabetes. [5]
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Low in glycemic index
Walnuts are low in glycemic index, which means, they help prevent the sudden spike of glucose after consumption. It has a glycemic index of 15. Soaked walnuts make for a great diabetes snack rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids and vital minerals such as potassium and magnesium.
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