India's monsoon season is the season of renewal, earthy fragrance of petrichor, and welcome relief from the hot summer sun. As much as we celebrate this season with pakoras and chai, it's also important to watch over our health and increase immunity levels because the wet weather has a tendency to carry with it seasonal colds and infections.

This monsoon, our expert Pooja Singh, Dietician at ShardaCare, Health City - Nodia, insists you include a crunchy, tasty, and very healthy superfood in your diet which are the hazelnuts!

Often celebrated for their rich, buttery taste, hazelnuts are much more than just a delicious snack. "They are packed with an impressive array of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats that can significantly contribute to your well-being, especially during the monsoon months," Pooja suggested.

Here's a deeper dive into the health benefits that make hazelnuts an ideal addition to your monsoon diet:

The unpredictable temperatures and higher humidity of monsoon can compromise your immune system, making you prone to colds, flu, and other infections. Hazelnuts are an excellent source of Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that plays a significant role in immune function. They also include manganese, copper, and zinc, all important minerals that ensure an effective immune response.

A healthy gut is the foundation of general well-being, and it's especially crucial during monsoon to avoid digestive problems. Hazelnuts contain a high amount of dietary fiber, which helps in maintaining healthy digestion, avoiding constipation, and enhancing a balanced gut microbiome. A healthy gut is able to fight off seasonal bugs more effectively.

Contrary to indulgent vibes, hazelnuts are heart-friendly at its best. They have a high concentration of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, mostly oleic acid, which are known to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL). It can significantly lower cardiovascular disease risk, with your heart still remaining healthy even as you indulge in the warm monsoon ambiance.

The moist climate during monsoon may occasionally heighten oxidative stress in the body. Hazelnuts are full of antioxidants such as Vitamin E, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. These potent compounds fight free radicals, lower inflammation, and safeguard your cells from damage, leading to good health and disease prevention.

Feeling lethargic on a rainy monsoon day? Hazelnuts can be a help! With their mix of healthy fats, Vitamin E, and B vitamins (such as folate), they enhance proper brain function. They sharpen cognitive functions, memory, and concentration so you remain sharp and efficient even on a grey day.

Monsoons sometimes create a condition of lethargy. Hazelnuts, with their excellent combination of healthy fats, protein, and fiber, result in gradual release of energy, keeping you fuller for a longer time and avoiding energy slumps. These make for a great snack to overcome the monsoon blues and remain active.

Although the humidity may leave your skin sticky, the appropriate nutrition can help. The Vitamin E found in hazelnuts is a well-documented nutrition for healthy skin that delivers a delicate glow and shields from environmental stress. The healthy fats also help bring about luscious hair, counteracting the frizz commonly caused by monsoon humidity.

Expert Pooja explained that the convenience of hazelnuts allows them to be incorporated into your daily life with ease. Here are a few options:

Although highly nutritious, hazelnuts are high in calories. Eat them in moderation with a balanced diet. Do not consume if you have a nut allergy.

While the rain lashing against the windowpane outside makes everything feel snug, use hazelnuts as your health secret to remain healthy, energetic, and full of life. Their high nutritional value has a hundred advantages to their credit and hence makes them a monsoon superfood. This rainy season, then, replace some of the regular suspects with these tasty nuts and see the difference they can bring to your health.