Perfect Bar Unwrapped: Hazelnuts

Our limited-edition anniversary bar — Chocolate Hazelnut Crisp — is a first for us for many reasons. The most noticeable being the use of hazelnut butter. Instantly, creamy Nutella or Ferrero Rocher come to mind, both loved for their delicious decadence. Hazelnuts, as well as other nuts like peanuts or almonds, can provide a great amount of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. We know that nuts have all kinds of nutrient-dense benefits to them, so, let’s dig a little deeper into the hazelnut health benefits!

Versatile Nut

Hazelnuts are a very versatile nut that can be eaten in a variety of forms. You can roast them, eat them raw or make them into a paste, cue the Nutella Hazelnut Spread we all know and love. You’ll often find hazelnuts in delicious dessert-like treats as hazelnuts, chocolate, and coffee pair perfectly! Aside from all of that sweet goodness, hazelnuts can easily be tossed into healthy dishes to add an extra crunch and a boost of protein.

Heart-Healthy Vitamins and Minerals

Nuts, in general, are known for their ability to help promote a healthy heart and hazelnuts, in particular, contain vitamins and minerals that can help reduce the bad kind of cholesterol and increase the good kind of cholesterol, HDL. Hazelnuts are known to protect our bodies from a multitude of diseases and are naturally packed full of vitamins and minerals.

One such mineral is folate, which is known to be highly beneficial for pregnant women, helping to prevent defects in babies. On top of that, hazelnuts have been said and researched to eliminate some factors that lead to cancer cells developing. Because hazelnuts are so rich in Vitamin E, which can help reduce the risk of anemia, it also aids in reducing the risk of bladder cancer. This deliciously sweet nut is also rich in unsaturated fats that are very beneficial when it comes to heart health. According to recent studies and research, those who eat hazelnuts on a regular basis have a 50% lower risk of dying due to heart issues or a heart attack.

Manage Diabetes

Hazelnuts are a great source of magnesium, which has been proven to decrease the risk for diabetes, as well as combat diabetes because of the high source of manganese. For those who have diabetes, it’s very important to choose monosaturated fats over saturated fats or trans fats. Hazelnuts fall into the category of good fats or monosaturated fats. What this will mean for you is that your body will be gaining all the beneficial, good-for-you fats and soaking them in rather than keeping the bad-for-you fats and causing weight gain.

Healthy Bones, Skin, Hair and Brain Health

Muscles, bone, and joint health all play a vital role in keeping our bodies at there best and keeping up with all that life has to throw at us. Because hazelnuts are rich in magnesium and manganese, your muscles, bones, and joints receive aid in growing stronger and more resilient. Because of the amount of Vitamin E that naturally occurs in hazelnuts, your hair and skin will benefit and gain moisture and elasticity. Vitamin E also carries a good source of antioxidants that allow for proper circulation of our blood, leading to a stronger immune system.

Adding to the list of benefits that Vitamin E brings, it also boosts brain function and power. The high levels of Vitamin E, folate, manganese and fatty acids aid in keeping our brains sharp and alert, working at their best and helping cognitive function. This can help to prevent declining brain function that can come with old age as well as diseases of the brain or mind like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or dementia.

So stock up on all the hazelnutty goodness, load up on the good-for-you fats, and soak up the hazelnut health benefits, especially with our Chocolate Hazelnut Crisp flavor before it’s gone for good.