Brazil nuts contain beneficial nutrients and minerals, including selenium. They may also help support thyroid function and overall health.
Brazil nuts are a rich source of selenium. A 1-oz nut contains approximately 989% DV of selenium.
The DV for selenium is 55 mcg per day for adults. Thus, the average Brazil nut contains 175% of the required amount of this mineral.สมัคร ufabet
Selenium is a trace element vital for your body’s proper functioning. It’s essential for your thyroid and influences your immune system and cell growth.
Indeed, higher levels of selenium have been linked to enhanced immune function and better outcomes for:
- cancer
- infections
- infertility
- pregnancy
- heart disease
- mood disorders
Although selenium deficiency is rare, some people worldwide may have insufficient intake for optimal functioning. For example, suboptimal selenium status has been found in people throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East.
Brazil nuts are a highly effective way to maintain or increase your selenium intake.
Thyroid support
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. It secretes essential hormones for growth, metabolism, and body temperature regulation.
Thyroid tissue has the highest concentration of selenium — required for the production of the thyroid hormone T3 — as well as proteins that protect your thyroid from cellular damage.
One Brazil nut per day could deliver enough selenium to support thyroid function.
Thyroid disorder management
One large study from 2015 found that people with low selenium levels in China had a significantly higher rate of thyroid diseases, such as hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and enlarged thyroid, than people with regular levels.
As well as ensuring proper thyroid function, selenium may improve symptoms in people with thyroid disorders.
Low selenium intake may lead to cellular damage, reduced thyroid activity, and autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. It may also increase your chance of thyroid cancer.