John Myers
I always read that nuts should be soaked before consumption because of the phytic acid they contain. I eat 3 to 4 walnuts almost every day. Doesn’t soaking hurt?
Soaking nuts can reduce phytic acid levels. However, the content in nuts is rather low, so that nuts do not actually have to be soaked.
Phytic acid is one of the secondary plant substances and is a typical component of cereals, legumes, oilseeds and nuts. Since it binds minerals and these are no longer available for the body to absorb, it was rated negatively for a long time.
Nuts are not only ingested because of their minerals. Walnuts, for example, also serve as a source of valuable omega-3 fatty acids, the availability of which is not affected by phytic acid.
The mineral uptake-inhibiting effect of phytic acid depends not only on its concentration in the food, but also on the presence of other substances such as fiber, proteins, oxalic acid, tannins, citric acid, vitamin C and others.
Only a very high proportion of whole grains, soy and other legumes in the daily diet could impair the supply of minerals. With a varied diet, there is no need to worry about a nutrient deficiency caused by phytic acid.
In addition, health-promoting effects are also being discussed for phytic acid: phytic acid is said to lower blood sugar and blood lipids and have an antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic effect.
When soaking nuts, you should consider potential germ contamination. In any case, you should soak the nuts every day and rinse well with water before use.
Facebook Comments