Nutritional Composition and Health Benefits of Walnut and its Products

Abstract

Our food contains macro and micro components that are necessary for us to maintain our lives. In particular, it is mandatory to get the necessary vitamins and minerals for vital functions. Turkey has an enormous diversity of food products due to both geographical and climatic conditions. One of these products is walnut that is grown in almost all regions of our Turkey. Vitamin, mineral and fatty acid composition of walnut varies depending on climate conditions such as temperature and humidity. From the health perspective, walnut is considered a valuable food item. Due to its content of silver ions walnut has an important role in balancing brain health and cholesterol levels. On the other hand, walnut is rich in essential fatty acids such as omega-3 fatty acids. Walnut jam -as one of the walnut products is not common due to the high cost. However, the vitamins and minerals content of the walnut green shell – which is used in walnut jam production-, increased the demand and preference of walnut jam. Walnut and its products play an important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes because of its high content of unsaturated fatty acids. The outlines of this review are walnut functions and composition, its effect on human health, consumption amount and analysis methods, production of walnut products and its health effects.