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National Nut Day – October 22

National Nut Day is observed annually on October 22. This day is NOT about the neighbor that lives down the street or the crazy friend; it is a food holiday that celebrates a healthy and nutritious snack.

Nuts are a highly prized food and energy source and are an important source of nutrients for both humans and wildlife.   Many of them are used in cooking, eaten raw, sprouted or roasted as a snack food and pressed for oil that is used in cookery and cosmetics.

The fats found in nuts, for the most part, are unsaturated fats including monounsaturated fats.

Many nuts are good sources of vitamins E and B2. They are also rich in protein, folate fiber and essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and selenium.

Nuts are important to animals, especially those in temperate climates, as they store acorns and other nuts during the autumn months to keep from starving during late autumn, all winter and early spring.

Several studies have shown that those who consume nuts on a regular basis are less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease (CHD).  It was in 1993 that nuts were first linked to protections against CHD.   Since that time, many clinical trials have found that consumption of various nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, can lower serum LDL cholesterol concentrations.

One study has shown that people who ate nuts lived two to three years longer than those who did not. The results of the longer life may be due to the fact that, because they were eating more nuts, they were eating less junk food.

But Chose Carefully

Nuts and seeds are very hard, and they are very small — two challenging aspects for someone that wears braces. Biting down on a hard nut or seed can easily break a band or bracket off from the tooth. Nuts and seeds are also responsible for bending the archwires, even though they may not actually break anything off. A bent wire can actually move the teeth into a undesired position, setting you back valuable treatment time.

Select nut spreads, such as peanut butter or almond butter, or coarsely grind your favorite nuts and seeds, and use them as a topping for your yogurt.

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