These days, pine nuts are in season. Pine trees belong to the pine family and are a native species of Korea. Pine nuts are used as main ingredients in foods such as pine nut porridge, sujeonggwa, sikhye, and gangjeong. In the past, people with weak bodies also consumed them as a tonic. However, domestically produced pine nuts are difficult to harvest, making them somewhat expensive. Let's take another look at the health benefits of pine nuts.

 

 

"Picking pine nuts is too difficult"... Climbing tall pine trees is a dangerous task.

 

The reason pine nuts are expensive is also due to the difficulty in the harvesting process. The cones of the pine tree grow at the very top of the branches, making it very difficult for people to pick the pine nuts. Pine trees are typically 20 to 30 meters tall, and some exceed 40 meters, making climbing the trees dangerous. Pine nut harvesting is only possible through 100% human effort (according to the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences). Climbing trees that are dozens of meters high is extremely dangerous, and although various methods have been devised over time, they are known to have had little effect.

30% unsaturated fatty acids beneficial for blood vessels... help lower cholesterol and prevent inflammation

 

According to the National Standard Food Composition Table, 100g of pine nuts contains 30.9g of unsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for blood vessels and blood. They help clean arteries clogged with triglycerides and play a role in lowering cholesterol levels. When eaten appropriately, they contribute to the prevention of vascular diseases such as hyperlipidemia (dyslipidemia), atherosclerosis, as well as heart diseases (angina pectoris-myocardial infarction) and stroke (ischemic stroke-intracerebral hemorrhage). A paper published in the Journal of the Korean Society of Food and Nutrition reports that pine nut extract has antioxidant effects that slow down body oxidation (aging-damage), positively impacting inflammation prevention and immune enhancement.

 

Rich in iron, folate, and zinc... What are the ingredients that help maintain memory and cognitive function?

 

Pine nuts also contribute to maintaining memory and cognitive function because they are rich in lecithin, which affects the activation of brain cells (National Institute of Agricultural Sciences data). They are also high in iron, folate, and zinc, which help prevent anemia and reduce body oxidation. Rich in vitamin E and minerals, they also aid in hair growth and prevent or improve hair loss. They give a feeling of fullness, which can help prevent obesity caused by overeating other foods.

 

High in calories, beware of overeating... 10 to 15 pieces a day is appropriate

 

Pine nuts are high in calories. Eating too much, even though it is good for health, can cause diarrhea or weight gain. Eating 10 to 15 pieces a day is appropriate. Pine nuts are prone to rancidity, so caution is needed in storage. Shelled pine nuts are best stored in the freezer for long-term preservation. Domestic pine nuts have a consistent size of the shell and are light yellow in color. They have a strong aroma, with little oil on the surface, and many have damaged edges. Foreign pine nuts vary in size, are a deep yellow color, have a weaker aroma, and are oily on the surface.

 

It is better not to grind pine nuts and rice together when making pine nut porridge. The amylase in the pine nuts breaks down the starch in the rice, preventing the porridge from becoming sticky. You can also achieve the same effect by boiling the rice first and then adding the pine nuts. To make the pine nut porridge less sticky, it is recommended to grind the pine nuts and rice separately. Afterwards, boil the pine nuts and water first to reduce the enzyme activity in the pine nuts, then add the rice water and continue boiling, which can make the porridge sticky.

 

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Is picking pine nuts from high places considered an extreme job?

I think I've seen it before. I saw a monkey pick it too.

 

So, it seems that pine nuts are a bit expensive.

 

 

Pine nut porridge is a health food for people with weak bodies.

Although small, pine nuts are high in calories, so it is recommended to eat 10 to 15 pieces a day.