SEMILLA DE BRASIL PARA BAJAR DE
PESO?
La semilla de Brasil, nuez
amazónica, nuez boliviana, castaña de monte, castaña de
Pará o coquito brasileño(Bertholletia
excelsa), es un árbol nativo de Suramérica,
específicamente de Bolivia, Brasil, sudeste de Colombia, Guyana, Perú,
este y nordeste de la Argentina y sur de Venezuela.
El árbol que produce
la nuez del mismo nombre, es la única especie del género Bertholletia. Se encuentra como
árboles dispersos o en grupos hasta de 100, sobre suelos bien drenados en
grandes bosques de las cuencas de los ríos Amazonas, Negro y Orinoco.
Es un árbol grande que alcanza entre 30 y 50 m de altura. El tronco tiene
de 1 a 2 m de diámetro. Puede vivir por 500 años o más. En la Amazonía
peruana se han encontrado árboles de hasta 1200 años de antigüedad. El
tronco es recto y no ramificado hasta la mitad de su altura, pero con una
corona inesperada de ramas grandes sobre el pabellón de los otros árboles
circundantes. La corteza es grisácea y lisa.
Las hojas son caducas, alternas,
simples, oblongas, de 20 a 35 cm de largo y 10 a 15 cm de ancho. Las
flores son pequeñas, verdosas-blancuzcas; cada flor tiene un cáliz dividido en
dos, seis pétalos amarillo-crema desigualmente coloreados, y estambres
numerosos.
Sus flores sólo se
pueden polinizar mediante la acción de insectos lo suficientemente
fuertes como para abatir las fuertes lígulas de las flores y tener acceso al
polen y al néctar que éstas producen. Las abejas Eulaema mocsaryi y Xylocopa frontalis son los principales polinizadores de
esta planta (Motta Maués 2002; Cavalcante et al. 2012). Otros visitantes
florales son Xylocopa aurulenta, Epicharis rustica, E. affinis, Centris similis, Eulaema nigrita, E. cingulata, Bombus brevivillus y B. transversalis (Motta Maués,
2002) . Existe la falsa creencia de que las orquídeas Coryanthes vasquezii producen un
olor que atrae a las abejas macho, que a su vez lo requieren para atraer a las
hembras y acoplarse, por lo cual hay una simbiosis indisoluble entre
el árbol, la orquídea y las abejas. Este mito se ha propagado en la literatura
acerca de la nuez de Brasil, pero no tiene fundamento científico. Las
nueces de Brasil, de delicado gusto, son una fuente excelente de selenio y
una buena fuente de magnesio y de tiamina. Son ricas en proteína (14%), carbohidratos (11%),
y grasa (67%). La proporción de grasas insaturadas de las nueces de
Brasil está entre las más altas de todas las nueces.
CONTRAINDICACIONES:
1) Personas que sufren ulcera
estomacal o intestinal, asi como personas que fueron operadas del sistema
digestivo.No se recomienda que la semilla se consuma si usted tiene ulceras o
si fue operada de su estomago o intestino, dado que esta semilla es irritante
intestinal, al igual que lo es el chile, café, etc.Aun cuando usted no tenga
ulcera cuide su intestino, comiendo alimentos saludables como frutas, verduras,
yogurt y lactobacilos de forma habitual.
2) Embarazadas o en lactancia.Consuma
frutas, verduras, visite a su ginecólogo y dele prioridad a su bebe ante todo
deseo estético.
3) Mayores de 70 años y menores de 12 Años.No se recomienda que
personas mayores o de la tercera edad consuman la semilla, debido a que es un
relajante o bien un anti estresante natural. Y precisamente lo que necesita una
persona mayor es la vitalidad al máximo.No se recomienda que niños consuman
este producto, debido a que están en pleno crecimiento y desarrollo. Cuando un
niño tiene problemas de obesidad es debido a otras causas ajenas a un intestino
perezoso, como lo es el caso en las personas mayores.
4) Personas alérgicas.
Aun cuando se trata de un producto natural, recuerde que muchas personas somos
alérgicas a muchos productos naturales, como mariscos, maíz, nueces, huevos,
etc. Si usted es una persona sumamente alérgica, no se recomienda que lo
consuma o bien que extreme precauciones.
Otras precauciones Como todo
tratamiento químico o natural, al presentarse alguna intolerancia debe
suspenderlo de inmediato, no arriesgue su salud por lo estetico.No lo deje al
alcance de los niños, ellos no saben lo que hacen usted si. Conserve este
producto en lugar fresco y libre de humedad extrema, recuerde que es un
producto natural no procesado. Este es un producto natural, No es ni pretende
ser un medicamento. Este producto no cura, es una ayuda para adelgazar con
bastantes beneficios para nuestro cuerpo. Nunca tomar más de un trocito de
semilla al día.
CONSIDERACIONES IMPORTANTES:
Muchos de los reportes
sobre toxicidad de la semilla de Brazil, es la venta de productos no
originales (como el llamado codo de Fraile, Cascabela Thevetia), así como
su consumo sin la evaluación de un Nutriologo calificado. Asimismo es
importante seguir un régimen dietético saludable
bajo asesoría profesional. La semilla original, a la dosis adecuada y
bajo supervisión, ha sido utilizada por muchas personas sin la presentación
de eventos adversos. Asimismo, ha sido aprobada por laboratorios calificados en
algunos Países. Es natural suponer que, si se administra a una persona que
tiene otros problemas de salud asociados al sobrepeso u obesidad, no funcione:
es obvio decir que lo primero es solucionar su problema médico de base.
Health Benefits of Brazil nuts
27 March, 2014 By Deepak
Kevat
Going by the scientific name of
Bertholletia Excelsa, Brazil nuts are a kind of nuts found in the Amazon
forests of South America. These forests grow some of the most unique plant
species in the world like Brazil nuts and Acai berries. These cannot be found
in any other parts of the world. They are produced in these very rain forests
and are considered as one of the most popular food items in many Latin American
nations. It is much sought after by the native peoples of the Amazon forests as
these nuts are not only delicious, but also give them good protein, fat content
and other required nutrients.
The brazil nut belongs to the family
of Lecyhidaceae and also goes by many other names. Some of them are para-nut,
cream-nut, castania, castanha-do-para, castanha-de-brazil etc, to name a few.
They appear creamy in colour and texture as they contain a high amount of fat
in them.
Technically speaking, brazil nuts
are not nuts, but the seeds of the brazil nut plant. Most people confuse them
for nuts because of their brown, nut-like shells or coverings that these
seeds have. The seeds are tasty on their own, but they are added to other
dishes as well because of its rich flavour.
The tree from which these seeds are
derived from can reach a maximum height of 45 metres or 150 feet. Not only are
they tall, but their height helps them in playing a significant part in
maintaining the rain forest ecology. The trees possess straight, smooth trunks
which open up to form large branches of canopy. Like all other flowering plants
and trees, these shed their leaves during the dry season. As part of the forest
ecology, many animals are dependent on the produce of these trees for their survival.
The nuts, sometimes on their own develop into trees naturally. Thus, they
contribute helpfully to the maintenance of forest ecology. What is fascinating
to know is that the flowers of these trees are thick. Hence, they cannot be
penetrated by most insects that can otherwise pollinate other plants. There is
a special kind of bee that is found only in these Amazon rain forests which can
penetrate the thick flowers. Thus, there is a self-sufficient, but
interdependent system of livelihood developed in these rainforests.
Brazil nuts develop inside a huge
capsule and thus it looks like a coconut in its appearance. when you look
inside, you will find a huge number of three-sided nuts. Each mature tree bears
up to 300 such capsules or pods in a season. After pollination, a period of
fourteen months is required for it to start developing. Each such capsule can
weigh up to three kilos. They fall from the tree with a crashing sound every
now and then but it does not result in any breakage. These nuts inside have
very hard shells which are difficult to crack open. But if you are successful,
then you get fat and protein-rich seeds. Each pod contains 25-30 such seeds.
The kernel surrounding these parts is also edible on its own. They are required
especially for their protein content in people who are vegetarian in their food
preferences. The downside of the brazil nuts is their high fat content which
leads to the nuts getting spoiled really quickly if not stored under proper,
hygienic and cool conditions. Beware of the brazil nuts going rancid if not
stored properly. The best way to preserve them is to put them in air-tight bags
and store them in the refrigerator. This way, they will last for a much longer
span of time.
The oil content in the brazil nuts
can be tapped and used in everyday cooking. The oil that is derived as a result
is thick, rich and carries a distinctive flavour. It is not only used as a
cooking agent in many households, but is also known to be a good lubricant.
Even if the oil form is hard to find, you can easily get the seeds and extract
oil from it yourself. Listed below are some of the health benefits of brazil
nuts. The more you consume them, the better.
Health Benefits Of Brazil Nuts
1. High in calories
Studies have shown that Brazil nuts
contain a high amount of calories. This implies that if you consume brazil nuts
instead of other nuts, you are definitely going to lose weight. How does this
work? The more calories that you consume, more the increase in the metabolic
rate of your body. This being said, you are to burn more fat and body weight by
consuming brazil nuts. They also contain a reasonable quantity of vitamins,
anti-oxidants and minerals.
2. Reduces bad cholesterol
It is true that brazil nuts contain
a lot of fat, but this is the kind of fat that helps reduce the LDL or bad
cholesterol in your heart. Even the high calorie content in brazil nuts also
comes from the fat content in the nuts. Alternately, it also increases the HDL
or good cholesterol in your blood. People who consume brazil nuts are shown to
be at a lesser risk to develop coronary heart diseases.
3. Good source of Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a major requirement for
the human body. These brazil nuts are a good source of Vitamin E. it is a
powerful lipid soluble antioxidant. The human body requires it in a good amount
to maintain the integrity of the cell membranes. These cell membranes can be
either of the mucus membranes or the skin. These are protected by the harmful
oxygen-free radicals. Accumulation of free radicals is harmful to the body.
4. High levels of Selenium
Selenium is an important factor for
the functioning of antioxidants in the body. Consuming just 1-2 of these brazil
nuts is beneficial for the same as they consist of extremely high levels of
Selenium. It also contributes in the prevention of heart disease, liver
cirrhosis and cancers.
5. Natural and Gluten-Free
Brazil nuts are natural ingredients
used in making gluten-free products. Like other nuts – almond and pine, these
are healthier alternatives for people who suffer from gluten allergy.
6. Excellent source of B-complex
These creamy nuts are not only rich
sources of nutrients, they are also great sources of B-complex vitamins,
especially Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B -6 and folates.
7. Good source of minerals
Brazil nuts also contain high levels
of other minerals like copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron,
phosphorus and zinc. While copper reduces the chances of developing Anaemia,
which is marked by the reduced levels of Red Blood Corpuscles and haemoglobin
in the body. It also helps control bone disorders like Osteoporosis. Manganese
is a good source of antioxidants enzyme.
8. Traditional medicine
The oil from brazil nut is used as a
therapeutic oil in many massages and therapies. Once extracted, it has a yellow
colour and is pleasant to both smell and taste. It acts as a lubricant and keeps
the skin moist. In aromatherapy, it is used as a foundation or base oil for
many traditional medicines. It is also used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical
industries an ingredient in various concoctions and preparations.
9. Used in foods
Brazil nuts are often used in many
culinary items. Apart from anything else, they can be eaten just like that.
Otherwise, they can be eaten roasted, salted or sweetened with a little sugar
or jaggery syrup. They can be used in fudges, puddings, pesto sauces,
chocolate-bars etc as good flavouring and texturing agents. Alternatively,
ground brazil nuts as per your choice and season your fruits or vegetables with
a generous sprinkling of these nuts. They are used as major ingredients while
preparing fruitcakes. They can also be used in main course dishes like meat and
vegetables. For everyday cooking, albeit with some reservations, one can also
use brazil nut oil.
10. Assists the thyroid glands
The high amount of Selenium in
brazil nuts is helpful in the functioning of the thyroid glands.
11. Helps you lose weight
The high amount of calorie content
in brazil nuts is beneficial for people who are trying to lose weight. The high
protein content and fibre content ensure that you don’t feel hungry often. This
avoids you from snacking excessively.
12. Reduces the risk of heart
attacks and strokes
As we mentioned before, consuming
brazil nuts leads to a reduced risk of developing LDL cholesterol. Therefore,
it is consequently also helpful in lowering your risk of getting a heart attack
or a stroke. The benefits of these healthy fats often seem to outweigh the
effects of small amount of saturated fats found in the nuts.
13. Useful to cure Acrodermatitis
Acrodermatitis Enteropathica is a
rare disorder that is characterized by the body’s failure in absorbing enough
amount of zinc from the foods that you consume every day. As a result, it leads
to zinc deficiency in your body. Brazil nuts can help in the cure of this rare
disorder as it contains high levels of zinc in it. Not only does it benefit
people suffering from this disorder, but also those who generally suffer from
zinc deficiency.
How to consume Brazil nuts?
It is a known fact that people tend
to put on weight if you consume too much fatty foods. Brazil nuts indeed
contain a high amount of fat, so the best thing you can do to avoid its
side-effects is to consume it in moderation. Make a schedule of all the nuts
that you have to consume in a week. Keep one kind of nut per day and consume
accordingly. This way you will get all the required nutrients, without catching
its negative effects. The presence of the compound Selenium, which is otherwise
highly beneficial to the human body also has its limitation. Many research
studies have shown that consuming more Selenium-rich foods can lead to
gastro-intestinal discomfort. It can cause irritability, stomach upsets and
fatigue. Also, consider eating brazil nuts without adding sugar or salt. While
excess sugar leads to diabetes, excess salt content leads to high blood
pressure. Another healthy tip that you can take into consideration is to look
for organically-grown nuts instead of those grown with chemicals and
fertilizers. This way, you will be completely safe from the effects of
chemicals.
People who are generally allergic to
all kinds of nuts should be cautious while consuming brazil nuts. Any allergic
reactions can flare up and can be fatal. The reactions can range from simple
skin itching to server forms of breathing difficulties, abdominal pain,
vomiting, nausea and in the most severe cases, even diarrhoea. Cross-reactions
with respect to other fruits and nuts, when eaten together can also occur. So
bear in mind that anyone who suffers from allergy should not consume these.
After reading the article, are you
wondering whether Brazil nuts are healthy for you? It is a very good habit to
consume all food items in moderation and same goes with Brazil nuts. Well,
there are a number of health benefits of eating Brazil nuts, but remember to
have just a few of them on a day as over consumption can lead to toxicity and
overweight. It is recommended to have a few Brazil nuts twice or thrice per
week.
The high levels of Selenium, in some
individuals cause what is known as Selenium toxicity. It may result in nausea,
vomiting, garlic odour in breath and in many cases, can also lead to emotional
disturbances in individuals. Those who are prone to Selenium toxicity are more
at a risk of developing dental cavities and experience loss of hair.
Neuropathic pain is also another common complaint. Skin issues can also be a
major symptom.
Now that you have learned about the
different health benefits of Brazil nuts and some of its possible side-effects,
use your discretion. Keep a check on the amount of Brazil nuts you consume
every day. Like we stressed before, make sure you consume a limited amount,
i.e, not more than 2-4 nuts per day, or about a handful of these nuts,
stretched over a week.
