Makhana, popularly known as fox nuts or lotus seeds, has been an inherent part of Indian households since time eternal. With its light and crisp texture, it makes for a great healthy snack. However, this is not all that this delicious snack has to its credit; there is more to makhana. It is replete with a host of vital nutrients and health benefits that make it one of the superfoods you should include in your diet. Let’s look at the top 10 benefits of eating makhana and why you should have it in a pantry.
Makhana Nutritional Powerhouse
Makhana is rich in nutrients like protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and iron. All these constituents combine in appropriate proportions to help a human being stay healthy. With the high protein and low-calorie count, it makes for an excellent snack if one wants to ensure that a weight management process is in control while providing the body with enough nutrition.
For Weight Loss
This Makhana is basically low in calories and high in fiber, due to which it becomes an ideal snack for those who are working towards weight loss. The presence of fiber there keeps one fuller for a longer time, thereby cutting down the tendency for overeating or having unhealthy snacks. It contains few calories, so you can have a whole handful without worrying about gaining extra weight.
Controls Blood Sugar Levels
This makes it a safe and healthy snack for people with diabetes. The index value of Makhana is low; this means it allows sugar to settle slowly into the blood stream, therefore avoiding a sudden rise in blood sugar. This makes it a safe and healthful snack option for all those suffering from diabetes.
Heart Health Promotion
Heart diseases top the list of death-causing diseases over the world, but making some heart-friendly food habit can bring conspicuous revolution. Makhana contains rich magnesium that regulates heart rhythm and muscle contractions. Other than this, more low sodium and high potassium levels make a further contribution in keeping the blood pressure under control and hence ensure smooth cardiovascular health.
Improves Digestion
Makhana is good for digestion and thus overall health. The great content of fiber inside makhana facilitates a healthy passage of stools and won’t let one suffer from constipation. In addition to this, it has high prebiotic fiber that feeds good bacteria in the intestines, promoting a healthy gut.
Rich in Bone Health Properties
Makhana is rich in calcium, which is the basic requirement for strong bones and teeth. Having makhana regularly will help in avoiding bone problems like osteoporosis, common in many elderly persons, and will also give you healthy teeth so that you can flaunt a brighter smile.
Enhances Brain Functioning
Your brain’s health is as significant as your body’s health, and makhana can also allow for that. The antioxidants present in makhana protect brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, like kaempferol. This could further lead to an improvement in cognitive functions such as memory and concentration and may even reduce the risk of neurogenerative diseases.
Supports Kidney Health
This is one of the reasons kidney health can often be overlooked, yet it is very important for detoxification and staying healthy in general. Low sodium and high potassium in Makhana help in balancing the electoral levels; this puts less burden on the kidneys. Also, being like a natural diuretic, it helps flush out the toxins from the body and thus maintains good health of the kidneys.
Enhances Skin Health
Who doesn’t want glowing, healthy skin? Makhana can help in that regard. Rich in antioxidants, it combines with them to fight against free radicals responsible for ageing and skin damage. On consuming it regularly, Makhana can bring clear and youthful skin with the more apparent fading of fine lines and wrinkles.
Acts as an Immunity Booster
A strong immune system is the best defense against illnesses, and makhana can help strengthen it. These seeds are imbued with vitamins and minerals that are good for the immune system. Antioxidants inside the makhana also help safeguard the body from infections, diseases, and other foreign elements that decide to enter by destroying harmful free radicals.
Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Inflammation is the body’s normal response against any damage or illness, but excessive reaction halts many healthy activities of a human being. Makhana controls chronic inflammation within the body because of its anti-inflammatory nature. This is particularly very beneficial to patients suffering from arthritis or under attack by other inflammatory diseases.
Eat Your Makhana
It can easily be integrated into almost any dish, from a seasoned oven-roasted snack to adding it some crunch to your favorite soups, salads, and curries. If you want a sweetened dessert snack, take some time out and make the makhana kheer, the traditional Indian sweet.
Embrace Makhana for a Healthier Lifestyle
Well, makhana is something much more than a tasty snack; it’s a health powerhouse that bestows one with plenty of health rewards. From weight loss to immunity, heart and kidney health, skin and cognitive functions, this superfood has a lot to offer. Having fox nuts in adequate amounts day in and day out will work wonders for your health.
So the next time you need a healthy snack, reach out for a handful of makhana and enjoy the numerous benefits that come with it.
