Brazil nuts are one of the world's best sources of selenium, which is very important for your thyroid. Eating 1 whole Brazil nut daily provides benefits by giving you 100% of your daily requirements for selenium.

What Are Brazil Nuts?

Brazil nuts grow on one of the largest trees in the Amazon forest. They grow easily to 150 feet and live for more than 500 years, with some of the oldest trees being 1000 years old.

Interestingly, Brazil nuts only grow well in untouched, pristine Amazon forests and are a good example of the complex web of interdependence that characterizes a rain-forest. The trees produce complex, coiled flowers that can only be pollinated by a particular species of bee and that bee is only found in the presence of a particular type of orchid. Once the tree is pollinated, the fruit takes 14 months to mature. Brazil nut trees produce little fruit on plantations and mass production of Brazil nuts is not economically viable. Next time you eat a Brazil nut, try to imagine and taste the amazing rain-forest surroundings that brought it into existence!

Key Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts

Due to their medicinal properties, Brazil nuts offer many health benefits, including:

Cardiovascular Disease

Brazil nuts are high in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids that work to protect the heart and blood vessels. Eating brazil nuts will help prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by reducing harmful fat build up on artery walls. Brazil nuts are also high in magnesium, which helps lower blood pressure and is needed to relax the heart muscle.

Weight Loss

A review of 31 studies found that incorporating nuts in to your diet promotes weight loss, especially when eating nuts replaces other foods. Add Brazil nuts to trail mixes or eat 1-3 Brazil nuts with an apple to keep you feeling full and your blood sugar stable, which will promote healthy weight loss. Brazil nuts also contain B vitamins which help combat stress and reduce high cortisol levels, which will fight stubborn belly fat.

Hypothyroidism

Brazil nuts are one of the richest sources of dietary selenium, which is essential to proper thyroid functioning. Selenium is required to produce active thyroid hormone. 1-3 Brazil nuts daily are all you need.

Nutritious Superfood

Brazil nuts are high in minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese and selenium. They are also high in B vitamins and vitamin E. The selenium in Brazil nuts help produce the antioxidant enzyme glutathione-peroxidase, which works to recycle antioxidants in the body like vitamin E and vitamin C.

Final Considerations & Cautions of Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts go well with other nuts, seeds, superfoods and antioxidants. It's important to note that you shouldn't consume more than 3-4 whole Brazil nuts a day, to avoid selenium toxicity.

While it's important to speak to your health care practitioner prior to stating a new regimen when pregnant, Brazil nuts are considered safe to eat during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.