This is equivalent to one ounce of cooked meat, fish or poultry. Even though Streit and her fellow dietitians advise eating nuts in moderation, an Oregon nut farmer disagrees. Even a casual glance at this trim, spirited 69-year old, third generation hazelnut farmer certifies that he is doing something right. Adding her important expert endorsement, Streit, verified that hazelnuts are a plant source of these phytochemicals, adding that phytochemicals appear to decrease the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and other chronic disease. Hazelnuts are a source of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, isoflavones, ellagic acid and phenolic acid.
Hazelnuts provide the highest level of folic acid in the nut family.
Of the daily recommended 200 mcg. Hazelnuts offer antioxidant protection due to a high level of vitamin E. Hazelnuts kick in fiber for protection against colon cancer. Hazelnuts are also a good source of protein, calcium, niacin, vitamin B6, minerals such as magnesium, copper, zinc, selenium, phosphorous and potassium. Hazelnuts contain no cholesterol. What the growers have known for years, nutritionists and doctors now confirm, the hazelnut packs a wealth of nutrition in its tiny, portable, protective shell.