Chestnuts: Perfect for Wintery Days

Chestnuts may be called nuts but they are actually closer to fruits. Not only are they low in calories, about 10kcal per chestnut, they also offer amazing health benefits:

- Immune health / cancer prevention; contain powerful antioxidants, which are amazingly not destroyed after cooking; rich in fibre, iron, magnesium, vit E
- Heart health; rich in potassium and Magnesium, vit E
- Blood sugar balance; fibre keeps bowels regular; they help relieve haemorrhoids
- bone / teeth health; contain calcium; have anti-inflammatory properties
- Skin / eye health; contain almost all B vits and vit E
- improve varicose veins related swelling/pain; help with blood flow to the legs; have anti-inflammatory benefits

In Chinese Medicine, chestnuts are seen as warming, tonifying Kidneys; reducing liver Qi stagnation; and helping prevent nosebleeds and blood in stools.

Best to avoid in pregnancy and they are known to be diuretic and have blood thinning effects. Also just be aware, if you like them as much as I do, you might overeat and suffer some minor side effects such as stomach upset, headache or itching.