Found only in the Amazon of South America, Brazil nuts have been a staple food of the local peoples for eons. This is because Brazil nuts contain good amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well as having a high supply of calories. A 100 gram serving of Brazil nuts contain a whopping 656 calories. However, most of those come from healthy mono-unsaturated fatty acids which work to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).

These tasty nuts contain the highest amount of selenium of any other food. In fact, eating only one or two Brazil nuts a day will provide you with your daily selenium intake. Selenium helps with the prevention of liver and artery disease as well as certain cancers.

Brazil nuts are also excellent sources of vitamin E (approx. 52% of DV in 100g). Vitamin E is essential for healthy cell and mucus membrane development and for protecting the skin from free radicals. They also contain thiamin (approx. 50% of DV in 100g), vitamin B6, riboflavin, folates, niacin, pantothenic acid, zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, calcium, manganese and phosphorus.