Nuts are portable, filling and packed full of antioxidants. They’re also an excellent snack that can be enjoyed at any time of day. The antioxidants in nuts protect your body against dangerous free radicals and in doing this they keep your cells and vital organs healthy, functional and disease free. This article highlights five of the top antioxidant rich nuts for you to try.

1. Almonds

Almonds have a smooth, creamy flavor and are very filling. A 1 oz. serving provides you with 161 calories along with lots of the antioxidants copper, manganese and vitamin E. They’re also a nutritional powerhouse and are rich in calcium, fiber, healthy fats, magnesium, phosphorus, protein and vitamin B9.

As well as being powerful antioxidants, almonds also have other health benefits which include:

• Accelerating fat loss
• Boosting your brain function
• Strengthening your bones and teeth
• Supporting your nervous system
• Regulating your blood glucose levels

2. Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts contain 176 calories per 1 oz. serving and are loaded with the antioxidants copper, manganese and vitamin E. In addition to this, they’re an excellent source of fiber, healthy fats, magnesium and protein.

When it comes to health, fighting free radicals is just one of the many benefits of hazelnuts and they also boost your body in the following ways:

• Enhancing your energy levels
• Promoting good digestive health
• Soothing your muscles
• Strengthening your bones and teeth
• Strengthening your heart

3. Pecan Nuts

Pecan nuts are rich, buttery and a single 1 oz. serving weighs in at 193 calories. In terms of antioxidants, they contain large amounts of copper and manganese and they’re also a fantastic source of fiber, healthy fats, protein and vitamin B1

Antioxidant protection is just one of the many reasons to love pecan nuts. These delicious nuts also improve your health by:

• Enhancing your energy levels
• Lowering your blood pressure
• Promoting muscle growth
• Reducing blood levels of LDL cholesterol (a type of cholesterol often referred to as ‘bad cholesterol’ that blocks and hardens the arteries and prevents healthy blood flow)
• Strengthening your eyes

4. Pistachio Nuts

Pistachio nuts have a unique flavor that’s both sweet and salty and pack 156 calories in a 1 oz. serving. They’re a top source of the antioxidants copper and manganese and also contain high levels of fiber, healthy fats, phosphorus, protein and various B vitamins.

In addition to protecting your body’s cells against oxidative damage, pistachio nuts also:

• Prevent inflammation
• Regulate your blood glucose levels
• Strengthen your eyes
• Strengthen your immune system
• Support the production of healthy blood cells

5. Walnuts

Walnuts contain 183 calories per 1 oz. serving and have a mild, creamy flavor. They pack plenty of the antioxidants copper and manganese and are a very good source of fiber, healthy fats, magnesium phosphorus and protein.

Like the other nuts on this list, walnuts do a lot more than preventing oxidative damage with some of their main health benefits including:

• Boosting your brain function
• Improving fertility
• Lowering your blood pressure
• Promoting healthy fat loss
• Regulating your blood glucose levels

Summary

If you fill up on these antioxidant rich nuts three or more times per week, you’ll be able to boost your immune system, protect against chronic disease and much more. So give them a try, find your favorites and start benefitting from the antioxidants today.