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Walnut (Juglans Regia)- Morphology, Taxonomy, Composition and Health Benefits

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Fruits Grown in Highland Regions of the Himalayas

Abstract

Walnut is an edible drupaceous nut recognized worldwide for nutritious and health beneficial properties. The nut is botanically classified under angiospermic Juglandaceace family and is of prime commercial importance for the state of J&K. Walnut kernel being highly nutritious constitute a part of balanced and health-promoting diet. It has unique flavour and astringent taste. The nuts are high in fat, protein, vitamin and mineral and serve as an excellent source of a wide variety of flavonoids, phenolic acids and related polyphenols. The kernel of the nut is concentrated source of antioxidants. The oil of walnut kernel contains major fatty acids, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acids which possess excellent antioxidant properties. Besides, other known therapeutic effects of walnut range from cardiovascular protection to the promotion of better cognitive function to anti-inflammatory benefits. In addition, walnuts are helpful in treating asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory skin disease such as eczema and psoriasis. Traditionally, walnuts were being used to treat cough, stomach ailments and cancer in Asia and European countries.

Family:

Juglandaceae

Genus:

Juglans

Species:

Juglans regia

Local name:

Akhroot

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Food Science and Technology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shalimar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

    Syed Zameer Hussain, Bazila Naseer, Tahiya Qadri & Tashooq Ahmad Bhat

  2. Department of Moalijat, Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

    Tabasum Fatima

Authors
  1. Syed Zameer Hussain
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  2. Bazila Naseer
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  3. Tahiya Qadri
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  4. Tabasum Fatima
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  5. Tashooq Ahmad Bhat
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Hussain, S.Z., Naseer, B., Qadri, T., Fatima, T., Bhat, T.A. (2021). Walnut (Juglans Regia)- Morphology, Taxonomy, Composition and Health Benefits. In: Fruits Grown in Highland Regions of the Himalayas. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75502-7_21

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