When the holidays strike, roasted chestnuts seem to be everywhere — even in the songs being played on the radio. There are a handful of reasons why these shiny brown nuts are getting lots of attention this time of the year. Other than being delicious, chestnuts are also packed with nutrients, thus offering all sorts of benefits to the health. Below you can find the top 5 reasons why it’s a good idea to have roasted chestnuts on the table for your family and friends to enjoy.

They’re the Perfect Treats for People with Celiac Disease

Gluten is a type of protein that is avoided not only by individuals who are allergic to it but also by those who want to enjoy optimum health. Chestnuts contain absolutely no gluten, making these soft and sweet delicacies highly suited for people afflicted with celiac disease. If you don’t have the disease and you still want to dodge gluten, go ahead and dig in.

Chestnuts are Packed with Antioxidants

Of all the nuts on the planet, chestnuts are the only ones that contain vitamin C. And they don’t just have this powerful antioxidant — they are loaded with it! Vitamin C is necessary for healthy skin and stronger teeth and bones. It also boosts your immune system. During these cold months, having top-notch immunity is certainly a good thing. Because vitamin C has antioxidant properties, it also helps slow down the process of aging by killing off excess free radicals in the body.

They Offer Steady Energy Levels

Don’t scramble away from chestnuts upon knowing that they are loaded with carbohydrates. The kinds that these delectable treats pack are complex, which means they are slowly digested. Complex carbohydrates are nothing like simple ones that cause your blood sugar levels to spike, leaving you crashing and reaching for just about any food that shows up in sight.

Consuming Chestnuts Helps Lower Cholesterol

Dietary fiber is important in keeping the levels of bad cholesterol in check. Incidentally and fortunately, chestnuts that are so popular during the holidays contain such indigestible type of carbohydrates. Chestnuts also have lots of monounsaturated fatty acids that help lower your LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol by increasing your HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol.

Cell-Repairing Folate is Supplied by Chestnuts

Folate or folic acid is one of the numerous B vitamins. This nutrient plays so many important roles, all of which vital for good health and longevity. Some of its fundamental tasks include repair of cells, DNA synthesis, formation of blood components, and metabolism of amino acids. Pregnant women should consume chestnuts as folate these delicacies contain are needed by the growing fetus in them. Folate also helps ward off depression and slows down the aging of the brain.