Many of us may have picked around the Brazil nuts in a trail mix, not quite sure what to make of them. They’re big, dense, and slightly sweet, but what are they good for? As it turns out, quite a lot.
“Just one Brazil nut a day can meet your full daily selenium needs,” Chantelle van der Merwe, registered dietitian, told The Epoch Times.
It’s a simple way to support your thyroid health and immune system without relying on supplements. Plus, it’s a safer, more effective, and tastier source of this important mineral.Secure Selenium
In a February study published in the European Journal of Nutrition, for two weeks participants were given either a placebo, a 55-microgram selenium supplement, or 15 grams of Brazil nut butter containing roughly the same amount of selenium. Both the supplement and the Brazil nut butter raised blood selenium levels, showing that Brazil nuts can be just as effective as supplements.The recommended daily amount of selenium for adults is 55 micrograms. One Brazil nut usually provides more than that, although the exact amount depends on where the nut was grown. On average, an ounce—about six to eight nuts—contains nearly 10 times the daily requirement, so eating one to two Brazil nuts per day is enough to meet your needs safely, Van der Merwe said.
