Benefits of Walnuts: 5 Reasons to Eat Walnuts on Keto

Key Takeaways:

• Walnuts have numerous health benefits due to their micronutrient density.
• Walnuts are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and phytonutrients.
• Walnuts have approximately 2g of net carbs, 18g of fat, and 4g of protein per 1 oz.

Nuts and seeds are some of the most versatile whole foods you can have. They can be eaten alone, added to a salad, blended into a smoothie, sprinkled into brownie batter, and so on. This versatility coupled with their macronutrients makes them an ideal ketogenic snack. Most nuts and seeds have a low-carbohydrate count, while still providing healthy fats, a moderate amount of protein, and plenty of micronutrients. 

Not all nuts and seeds are created equal, though. Some are considered more ketogenic friendly than others, and some are more nutrient-dense than others. Walnuts, in particular, are not only a high-fat, low-carb nut but they are rich in vitamins and minerals that have numerous benefits for your health.  

Benefits of Walnuts

1) Ketogenic Macronutrients

Walnuts are a great ketogenic snack! They contain approximately 18g of fat, 4g of protein, and 2g of net carbs per 1 oz.  

2) High in Antioxidants

Did you know that walnuts have more antioxidants than any other nut? ^{[1] [2]}Walnuts are rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. The skin of walnuts is also rich in polyphenols, a type of phytonutrient that functions as an antioxidant. These antioxidants help protect the body from cellular damage. ^[3]

3) Improves Cardiovascular Health

LDL cholesterol gets a bad rep for causing atherosclerosis (clogging/blocking the arteries and leading to heart attacks), but oxidized LDL is what is actually prone to build up within the arterial walls. Since walnuts contain potent anti-oxidants, research shows that walnut consumption can lower LDL oxidation and thus reduce the likelihood of plaque build-up/formation. ^{[4] [5]}

4) Rich Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Walnuts are not only rich in omega-3 fatty acids, but they actually contain more than any other nut! ^[6]This is great news for keto vegetarians or vegans who are looking for a plant-derived source of omega-3 (most omega-3 fatty acids are from fish).  The specific type of omega-3 that is found in walnuts is called alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. ALA not only functions as an antioxidant, but has also been shown to improve conditions like inflammation, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer! ^{[7] [8] [9]}

5) Improves Gut Health & Inflammation

In recent years, we have begun to understand the substantial role that the gut microbiome plays in overall health hand disease outcomes. Having healthy gut bacteria is a key part of general health, and walnuts have been shown to increase the population of health-promoting bacteria. Whatsmore, walnuts have been specifically shown to increase butyrate-producing bacteria. ^[10] If you’re on a ketogenic diet, butyrate might sound familiar (think beta-hydroxybutyrate, the main ketone produced within the human body).  Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that exhibits potent anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to improving inflammation, butyrate has also been shown to improve sleep, insulin resistance, genetic metabolic diseases, and cholesterol levels.  ^{[11] [12] [13] [14]}

How Can You Incorporate Walnuts on Keto?

• Eat them alone or try tossing them in olive oil and spices
• Top your salad with walnuts
• Kickstart your day with keto granola
• Sprinkle them in keto brownie batter
• Try nutty keto fudge
• Make keto pudding cookies 

Conclusions About the Benefits of Walnuts

There are many reasons why you should consider incorporating these nuts into your ketogenic diet! Key benefits of walnuts include their ability to reduce oxidation and improve cardiovascular health, improve gut health and inflammation, and serve as a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals. Walnuts are low in carbohydrates and high in fat, making them a keto-friendly staple!

Do You Eat Walnuts on the Keto Diet?

Comment below and let us know how you incorporate walnuts into your diet!