Hazel Nut

Health Benefits

There have been some studies linking nuts in general and hazelnuts specifically to certain health benefits as well.

Aids Healthy Weight Maintenance

Hazelnuts provide several benefits if you are trying to eat well and maintain a healthy weight. Hazelnuts provide diet-friendly fiber and protein to help promote satiety.

Eating nuts instead of other starchy snacks such as chips or pretzels may help you to maintain a healthy weight. In fact, a 2014 study showed that regular consumption of nuts (about one handful) can be incorporated as a component of a healthy diet for the prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes when used as a replacement for less healthful foods.2 

Provides Antioxidant Protection

The significant amount of manganese in hazelnuts also provides important health benefits. Manganese plays an important role in enzyme activation for the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol. The mineral also has antioxidant functions, is important for wound healing, sex hormone production, and bone development.3 

Supports Better Heart Health

Nuts are a high-fat food, but they provide healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat—fats that help boost heart health when consumed in moderation.

A large study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggested that higher consumption of certain types of nuts including hazelnuts was inversely associated with total cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease.4 

Lowers Cholesterol

A study published in the journal Nutrients found that a diet rich in hazelnuts was associated with a decrease in LDL and total cholesterol with steady levels of HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and body mass index (BMI).5 These results are favorable for cardiovascular disease prevention.

Another study involving 66 adolescents and children with hyperlipidemia found that hazelnut consumption could have a positive effect on their cholesterol levels.