The best part is that they are free of any cholesterol and are almost fat-free. They are also gluten-free. They have a white and crispy flesh and small, rounded corms that can also be eaten raw. Water chestnuts are a popular ingredient in the Chinese cuisine. This article comes up with some amazing health benefits of water chestnuts.Interestingly, chestnut trees can live up to five hundred years, but usually do not begin to produce fruit until they are forty years old.
Health Benefits of Chestnuts
- Water chestnuts are just the perfect food for those who want to lead a healthy life. They are almost fatless and are therefore, a healthy food option. Half a cup of water chestnuts contains only 0.1 g fat.
- Water chestnuts are an excellent source of potassium, which is a very important mineral for human health. Half a cup of water chestnuts contains 350 to 360 mg of potassium.
- Water chestnuts are known to have cooling properties and as such, they are just perfect to beat the summer heat.
- Water chestnuts are also known to contain detoxifying properties and are considered to be good for people suffering from jaundice.
- Water chestnut powder helps to relieve cough. Grind water chestnuts to make a powder. Consume this powder with water twice a day. This dosage will bring quick relief in cough.
- Ten (10) roasted kernels with no salt added contain 4.3 grams fiber.
- Note: chestnuts must be boiled or roasted before eating due to the high levels of tannic acid.
Minerals Contained
- Potassium - 497 mg
- Phosphorus - 90 mg
- Calcium - 24 mg
- Magnesium - 28 mg
- Iron - 0.76 mg
- Sodium - 2 mg
- Manganese - 0.991 mg
- Zinc - 0.48 mg
- Copper - 0.426 mg
- Selenium - 1 mcg
- Also contains trace amounts of other minerals.
- Vitamin C - 21.8 mg
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.204 mg
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.147 mg
- Niacin - 1.127 mg
- Pantothenic Acid - 0.465 mg
- Vitamin B6 - 0.417 mg
- Folate - 59 mcg
- Vitamin A - 20 IU
- Vitamin E - 0.42 mg
- Vitamin K - 6.6 mcg
- Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.