Castanea crenata, known as Korean chestnut, Korean Castanea, and Japanese chestnut, is a species of chestnut native to Japan and Korea. Castanea crenata exhibits resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi, the fungal pathogen that causes ink disease in several Castanea species. The mechanism of resistance of Castanea crenata to Phytophthora cinnamomi may derive from its expression of the Cast_Gnk2-like gene. [rx]
| Japanese Chestnut Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Japanese Chestnut |
| Scientific Name: | Castanea crenata |
| Origin | Native to Japan and South Korea. |
| Colors | Brown |
| Calories | 44 Kcal./cup |
| Major nutrients | Manganese (19.61%) Copper (17.67%) Vitamin C (8.33%) Vitamin B1 (8.17%) Carbohydrate (7.62%) |
| Health benefits | Promote digestive health, Acts as antioxidant, Healthy heart, Prevent constipation, Strengthen bones |
Chestnut is a group of eight or nine trees or shrubs that belongs to the family of beech and oak trees. Chestnut produces an edible nut which is commonly known as chestnut and is widely consumed all over the world. Chestnut is regarded to be both fruit and a nut because fruits are defined as the product of flower plants and most of the nuts lie in this category. Chestnut possesses a mild sweet taste and is added to a variety of dishes. Raw chestnuts have a crunchy and hard texture that becomes softer after being roasted or cooked. Japanese chestnut is a chestnut species that is native to Japan and South Korea. It is a deciduous broadleaf tree having diffuse-porous wood. The wood dried easily but becomes warped and also decayed fast under poor conditions. The wood is appreciated for its decorative values. Japanese chestnuts are wide-spreading and multilayered. The tree has smooth bark when young. Leaves are ovate or lanceolate, 4 to 10 cm wide and 10 to 30 cm long having sharply pointed and widely spaced teeth having shallow rounded sinuates between. Leaves are followed by the leaves which appear in early summer and late spring. It is arranged in two kinds of long catkins which are found on every tree. Some catkins are made up of only male flowers which mature firstly. Each flower contains eight stamens. Japanese chestnut is also known by these names Korean Castanea, Korean chestnut, and Kuri.
Plant
Castanea crenata is small to medium-sized deciduous tree which grows from 10 to 15 meters tall. Leaves are toothed, oblong to lanceolate measuring 3 to 5 cm broad and 8 to 19 cm long. Flowers (both sexes) form in upright catkins of 7 to 20 cm long, female flowers in the lower part and male flowers in the upper part. The flower blooms in summer and at the time of autumn female flowers form into spiny cupules which contain 3 to 7 brownish nuts. Nuts have a bitter flavor.
Nutritional value of Nuts, chestnuts, japanese, raw
Calories 44 Kcal. Calories from Fat 1.35 Kcal.
| Proximity | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 17.41 g | N/D |
| Energy | 44 Kcal | N/D |
| Energy | 183 kJ | N/D |
| Protein | 0.64 g | 1.28% |
| Total Fat (lipid) | 0.15 g | 0.43% |
| Ash | 0.26 g | N/D |
| Carbohydrate | 9.9 g | 7.62% |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 9 mg | 0.90% |
| Iron, Fe | 0.41 mg | 5.13% |
| Magnesium, Mg | 14 mg | 3.33% |
| Phosphorus, P | 20 mg | 2.86% |
| Potassium, K | 93 mg | 1.98% |
| Sodium, Na | 4 mg | 0.27% |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.31 mg | 2.82% |
| Copper, Cu | 0.159 mg | 17.67% |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.451 mg | 19.61% |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.098 mg | 8.17% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.046 mg | 3.54% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.425 mg | 2.66% |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.058 mg | 1.16% |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.08 mg | 6.15% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 13 µg | 3.25% |
| Folate, food | 13 µg | N/D |
| Folate, DEF | 13 µg | N/D |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | 7.5 mg | 8.33% |
| Fat-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1 µg | 0.14% |
| Vitamin A, IU | 10 IU | N/D |
| Lipids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.022 g | N/D |
| Palmitic acid 16:00 (Hexadecanoic acid) | 0.02 g | N/D |
| Stearic acid 18:00 (Octadecanoic acid) | 0.001 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.079 g | N/D |
| Palmitoleic acid 16:1 (hexadecenoic acid) | 0.001 g | N/D |
| Oleic acid 18:1 (octadecenoic acid) | 0.076 g | N/D |
| Gadoleic acid 20:1 (eicosenoic acid) | 0.001 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.039 g | N/D |
| Linoleic acid 18:2 (octadecadienoic acid) | 0.035 g | N/D |
| Linolenic acid 18:3 (Octadecatrienoic acid) | 0.004 g | N/D |
| Amino acids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan | 0.009 g | 2.05% |
| Threonine | 0.026 g | 1.48% |
| Isoleucine | 0.031 g | 1.85% |
| Leucine | 0.039 g | 1.06% |
| Lysine | 0.042 g | 1.26% |
| Methionine | 0.015 g | N/D |
| Cystine | 0.018 g | N/D |
| Phenylalanine | 0.025 g | N/D |
| Tyrosine | 0.018 g | N/D |
| Valine | 0.038 g | 1.80% |
| Arginine | 0.042 g | N/D |
| Histidine | 0.016 g | 1.30% |
| Alanine | 0.058 g | N/D |
| Aspartic acid | 0.134 g | N/D |
| Glutamic acid | 0.122 g | N/D |
| Glycine | 0.032 g | N/D |
| Proline | 0.04 g | N/D |
| Serine | 0.031 g | N/D |
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/
Health Benefits of Japanese chestnut
Here are some health benefits of chestnut:
- Promote digestive health
Research shows that chestnuts enhance better digestion in various ways. The extract of chestnut provides a protective effect on the strain of probiotics which is found in the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that make the gut healthy and promote digestion. Chestnuts have a high content of fiber. Dietary fiber is helpful for digestion when it passes through the gastrointestinal tract, which supports food movement through the digestive tract. Fiber eliminates constipation, stabilizes blood sugar, promotes satiety, and nourishes beneficial bacteria found in the gut.
- Acts as antioxidant
Besides minerals and vitamins, chestnuts contain a great number of antioxidants. The extract of chestnut flower exhibits antioxidants properties and prevents damage from skin cancer or melanoma. Antioxidants help to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals whose build-up could cause damage to cells and chronic disease. The beneficial activities are related with impressive health benefits from prevention of cancer to counteract heart disease.
- Healthy heart
Various types of chestnuts provide a protective effect on heart health. It is due to the presence of antioxidants which could lower inflammation and promote heart health. Chestnuts contain potassium which is an essential mineral that could lower the chances of heart disease. The review shows that an increase in the intake of potassium could reduce the chances of blood pressure and also lower the chances of stroke by 24 percent. Patients with heart problems should add chestnuts to the diet in order to lower the chances of heart disease and maintain heart health.
- Prevent constipation
The consumption of fiber adds bulk to stool and eases the passage through the body to counteract constipation. The conducted research shows that increase in intake of fiber is related to the promotion in the frequency of stools. Chestnut with other foods rich in fiber such as legumes, vegetables, and fruits could be a great source of dietary fiber for preventing constipation and enhancing regularity.
- Strengthen bones
Chestnuts of 10 kernels provide 50% of manganese which is essential for the entire day. Manganese is an essential mineral that is essential for the activity of normal cells. Studies show that manganese has a vital role in maintaining bone health and prevents the chances of various diseases. Take manganese with other bone-building minerals for preventing bone loss in older women. The study shows that a capsule that contains manganese with calcium, Vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and boron was found to enhance bone density in 334 women having weak bones. Add chestnut to the diet with other bone-promoting nutrients to eliminate the chances of constipation and make bones strong.
- Improve brain health
Chestnuts contain various vitamins B such as vitamin B6, thiamine, folate, and riboflavin. These vitamins are required for maintaining a healthy brain and preventing various diseases. The insufficient content of vitamin B could cause problems with cognition. The deficiency of vitamin B could result in delirium and deficiency of folate could cause impaired brain development in children. The study shows that folic acid improves cognitive performance in elderly participants by lowering the chances of inflammation. The other studies show that intake of vitamin B has a positive effect on cognitive function in elderly participants having Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment. Add protein-rich foods along with two chestnuts each day to optimize brain health and meet vitamin B needs.
- Cure dysentery
Dysentery or lose motion could be cured by chestnuts as it contains tannin in it. It is a very effective folk remedy. It should not be used for infants and children because even a small mistake in proportions could provide them a high dose of tannin. It is used for De-worming in India.
- Thyroid activity
The largest endocrine gland of the body is the thyroid in the neck which produces two vital hormones named Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine. The thyroid assists in the regulation of the rate at which the body uses energy to make proteins, and controls the sensitivity of the body to other hormones. Chestnut has ellagic acid that supports thyroid function when one experienced overactive thyroid function or hyperthyroidism. Ellagic acid suppresses the secretion of hormones by controlling the overactive thyroid gland.
- Lose weight
Food and diet are the most crucial part of losing weight and chestnuts are a great choice. It is low in fat with a high quotient of energy. Chestnut is an abundant source of fiber which makes one full for a long time period that helps to curb appetite naturally. Water and mineral composition in chestnuts help to control as well as replenish the loss of electrolytes for those with a heavy exercising routine to cut off extra weight.
- Prevention of kidney stones
Oxalate is an iron that is related to an increase in chances of kidney stones development. Calcium oxalate is the main reason for gall bladder and kidney stones. The food we eat determines oxalate levels in the body. So a diet with low oxalates is highly recommended to cut the chances of stones development. Chestnuts are a source of low oxalate food. Chestnuts have high potassium which controls and regulates the distribution and release of calcium in the body. It promotes calcium deposition of calcium on bones having minimum quantity gets into the bloodstream which prevents the formation of stones.
Precautions
- Consume it in moderate amounts.
- People having health problems should consult the doctor for use.
- People with known allergies should avoid it.
- It is better to consult with a health practitioner to use it for treating various conditions.
How to Eat
- Seeds are consumed raw or cooked.
- It is a perfect substitute for potatoes.
- Nuts are used to make crackers and rice cakes.
- Cook the chestnuts until tender, peel it, and consume them.
- Due to its sweet flavor, it could be used in cakes, cookies, tarts, puddings, and ice cream.
- Steamed chestnut rice is popular in Japan.
References
