Fox Nuts (Phool Makhana) پھول مکھانہ

Overview

Euryale ferox, commonly known as prickly waterlily, makhana or Gorgon plant, is a species of water lily found in southern and eastern Asia, and the only extant member of the genus Euryale. Makhanas are derived from lotus seeds. Lotus develops seed pods, and each pod contains approximately 20 seeds that mature within 40 days. The seeds are then dried and roasted on high flames. The outer black shell breaks and the white puffs pop out. These seeds are what we call makhanas.

Benefits

Fox nuts have really high protein content. This is why they make such an important part of fasting food because a handful can provide you with energy to last the entire day. Most snacks are either deep-fried or have a high amount of preservatives and additives. Having a bowl of fox nuts will fill you up and also keep the calories in check.
Fox nuts make for great anti-ageing food as they have an abundance of anti-oxidants. A handful every day can keep you looking younger and making your skin glow. The catch is that they must not be consumed as a fried snack. Gallic acid and chlorogenic acid as well as epicatechin are some of the beneficial antioxidant substances found in Makhana nuts. These may play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer and chronic conditions like diabetes.
Fox nuts are great snack food for diabetics and heart patients as they contain good fat and have a low quantity of saturated fats. These properties make makhanas good weight-loss food.
Fox nuts are high in fibre. The digestive process gets sorted with them as they prevent constipation and add bulk to the stool.

Fox nuts are great detoxifying agents. They aid in flushing out toxins from the body. They are really beneficial to the spleen which is like a graveyard for cells in the body. It recycles the RBCs (red blood cells). The spleen is the nerve centre of the immune system because it also stores white blood cells and platelets.
Having fertility issues? Fox nuts will come to the rescue. Touted as an aphrodisiac, they help with premature ejaculation, improve the quality of semen and help women suffering from infertility.
Fox nuts have a low glycemic index which means that they release glucose slowly in the blood. This keeps you feeling full for longer.
Those suffering from wheat allergies can gorge on fox nuts as they are gluten-free but still high in protein and carbohydrate content.
They are high in magnesium and potassium and low in sodium. This makes fox nuts an ideal snack for those watching their weight. High potassium and low sodium is a great combination for patients suffering from hypertension. The potassium brings down the blood pressure and sodium tries to bring it up. So those who suffer from high blood pressure can snack on fox nuts without facing any spikes in their blood pressure.
Apart from magnesium, potassium, and sodium, foxnuts also contain a high amount of calcium. This means they fall under the category of foods that are good for the bones as well as the teeth.
Makhna is also high in thiamine content which means they help in aiding cognitive function as well. The consumption of foxnuts helps the body to produce acetylcholine and thus contributes to the process of neurotransmission. This process of neurotransmission is key to maintaining the good functioning of the nerves.
Fox nuts are naturally bestowed with astringent properties which means people with weak kidneys can easily snack on fox nuts. Fox nuts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help to reduce inflammation and the effects of oxidative stress.

Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and insomnia are quite common these days owing to stress and lifestyle changes. Insomnia particularly can be debilitating as lack of sleep over time can lead to failing health and lowered cognitive ability thus affecting productivity. Instead of turning to store-bought medications to tackle the problem of insomnia try a quick home remedy at home with a hand few fox nuts.

Side Effects

Excess Consumption of fox nuts May Lead to Side Effects like:

Digestive issues like constipation, gas and feeling bloated.
A spike in insulin levels may lower blood sugar levels tremendously in patients with diabetes.
They can cause allergies in some people.

How To Consume

All you need to do is roast the fox nuts in ghee and flavour them with naturally spices and condiments like mint leaves, curry leaves, coriander powder, garlic powder, turmeric powder, green chillies, etc. or make panjeeri with addition of other nuts.You may also add peanuts or cashews and almonds to the mix to add a bit more crunch and nutrition to the snack.

Nutrtional Value

100 grams of Fox Nuts contains:

Calories: 347
Protein: 9.7gm
Fats: 0.1gm
Carbohydrates: 76.9gm
Fibre: 14.5gm
Total Lipids (Fats): 0.1gm
Calcium: 60mg
Iron: 1.4mg