Kozinaki: benefits and harm to the body

Kozinaki is a healthy product with a pleasant taste, the manufacture of which uses honey and various nuts or seeds of different cultures. Useful characteristics of this delicacy are in its natural ingredients. Due to the small number of calories, some kozinaki can be used as a dessert in various diets.

Composition and calorie content

Compared to other desserts, kozinaki has an amazing composition, they do not contain flour components, sugar, additives of synthetic origin, as well as animal fats and proteins. At the same time, the treat has a sweet aftertaste and is characterized by high nutritional value. Initially, only walnuts were used to obtain it, now peanuts, sesame, and oatmeal are used. And this does not at all reduce the beneficial qualities of the product.

Various vitamins were found in kozinaki, including A, E, PP and K, as well as representatives of vitamin B. In addition, such sweets contain various minerals such as Mg, Fe, Zn, Ca, I, K, P.

Kozinaki also contains proteins and carbohydrates, which are easily absorbed. The chemical composition of the goodies depends on the seeds and nuts used, so each variety is useful in its own way.

The calorie content of the product is on average 500 kcal per 100 g. The nutritional value of the dessert depends on the type of component used and the addition of other ingredients. The average calorie content of walnut kozinak ranges from 500 to 700 kcal.

What are kozinaki useful

The nut component of the kozinaki may vary, but the honey ingredient remains unchanged. Therefore, it is first worth noting the beneficial properties of honey. The consumption of this product leads to an improvement in the quality of blood, helps to eliminate harmful and toxic elements from the body. Honey restores the functions of internal organs, accelerates metabolic processes, strengthens weakened immunity. In addition, the product is characterized by antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, has the ability to rejuvenate.

Zinc in the composition of honey has a positive effect on the joints, making them more durable and mobile. Also, the honey component of kozinak stimulates the brain, normalizes the functioning of the heart muscle. Honey (as an essential component of kozinaki) helps in maintaining male health, improves potency. During the heat treatment of this product, some properties are lost, but most of them are still preserved and have a beneficial effect on the human body.

The second component of kozinaki are nuts, seeds or dried fruits. Each of these ingredients has its own beneficial characteristics.

From sunflower seeds

A particularly common treat is kozinaki from sunflower seeds. They contain many monounsaturated acids. This leads to the regulation of cholesterol and blood pressure. Vitamin E in seeds restores the structure of the hair and gives the skin a healthy look. For women's health, such a delicacy is useful in that it helps to normalize the work of the reproductive organs.

Kozinaki with a sunflower is also useful for people whose body is regularly exposed to physical activity and the influence of negative environmental factors.

From sesame seeds

Sesame seeds in the production of kozinak are especially useful for expectant mothers, as they ensure the normal development of the skeletal system in the fetus. Sesame seeds contain a lot of calcium, which strengthens the protective membrane of the body, and also improves the condition of teeth and bones. The product is recommended for use in stressful situations when nervous tension is observed.

From walnuts

If walnuts were used in the production of kozinak, then such a sweetness will be enriched with vegetable fats. The product will be useful for people whose body is physically exhausted due to heavy loads, as well as for those whose work is associated with special brain activity. This ingredient has a positive effect on blood vessels.

From peanuts

Dessert using peanuts is also characterized by beneficial properties. Peanuts have an antioxidant effect. The dish contains non-fatty acids. Peanut kozinaki improves brain activity, circulation of beneficial elements in the body.

The components of peanut kozinak cleanse blood vessels, are the prevention of atherosclerosis, and also protect against stroke and heart attack.

From dried fruit

Dried fruits are also the starting material for the production of goat's. Such a delicacy is less caloric, but the nutritional value of the dish and its benefits are slightly higher than sweets from seeds. The most popular additives are dried apricots and prunes, that is, dried plum and apricot fruits. Dried apricots contain retinol. 100 g of this product contains the daily requirement of potassium. Also in dried apricots found calcium, magnesium and copper.

Prunes are also characterized by a number of useful properties. The regular use of goodies helps in the treatment of bowel diseases. The product has an antimicrobial effect, enriched with a mass of vitamins and minerals. In addition, this fruit is characterized by the ability to activate mental processes. Although dried fruits are dried berries and fruits, beneficial elements are present in large quantities.

From popped rice

Puffed rice is also used in the process of making gozinaki. It has fiber that cleanses the intestines. Starch in rice provides the process of colonizing the intestines with beneficial bacteria, normalizes microflora. In kozinak with this composition, there are various vitamins and important trace elements.

From Hercules

Hercules flakes are much less commonly used to produce goats. However, it is worth noting the useful characteristics of this method of producing a delicious dessert. The product is characterized by a number of useful and nutritious properties possessed by oatmeal. They contain a lot of fiber, which has a positive effect on the digestive tract. To prepare such a treat, you only need to purchase cereal, margarine and honey. Next, the hercules component is fried in margarine, after which honey is added. The mass is thoroughly mixed and laid out in a thin layer in the mold. After cooling, the kozinak is ready for use.

From pearl barley

As you know, pearl barley has in its composition many amino acids. For example, it contains lysine, which takes part in the synthesis of collagen. As a result, the process of the appearance of wrinkles is slowed down, and the skin remains smooth and supple. In barley there are many vitamins, macro- and microelements, such as potassium, iron, calcium. Also found in the product are zinc, phosphorus, iodine, etc.

Are kozinaki useful in pregnancy

During the bearing of the baby, the taste preferences of the woman often change. Fans of sweets during pregnancy should monitor their weight and exclude harmful products from the diet as much as possible. Kozinaki in this case is considered a good substitute for the use of sweet foods and flour products. This is a great benefit for a pregnant woman.

When carrying the fetus, it is recommended to eat kozinaki from dried fruits, sunflower seeds.Caution should be taken with products made from peanuts or walnuts. These products can cause an allergic reaction, which can negatively affect the condition of the child.

Is it possible to eat kozinaki while breastfeeding

During lactation, the woman’s body especially needs vitamins and various beneficial elements. At this time, she needs to recover from childbirth, as well as breast-feed her baby, so the body needs to be saturated with healthy foods. Kozinaki can be included in the menu of a nursing woman. Such a product will make the diet more saturated, but this product is suitable for those young mothers who are not allergic to any gozinak ingredients.

It is also important to take into account the condition of the baby, after eating the dessert, you should follow the reaction of the child so as not to harm his health. If he has an allergic reaction or is concerned about colic, you must immediately abandon the use of the product.

Can I eat kozinaki with weight loss

Kozinaki can be used on a diet to reduce weight. The advantage of using this product during a diet is the lack of animal protein. Kozinaki are distinguished by a high degree of calorie content, but they are able to saturate the body and provide it with a supply of energy.

To comply with all the rules of the diet, which will help to get rid of excess weight, you must choose a dessert, which is based on dried fruits or sesame. These ingredients will not harm the figure.

Kozinaki in medicine

Kozinaki can normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, improve the liver. They are used to prevent the appearance of parasites in the intestines, as well as worms in children. Honey in their composition helps strengthen immunity, helps relieve muscle fatigue and has a therapeutic effect in periodontal disease.

With diabetes

Although kozinaki have many positive properties, there is still a category of people who are forbidden to use this delicacy. We are talking about patients with diabetes mellitus, since most often now sugar and syrup based on it are used instead of honey in the cooking process. The exceptions are dietary varieties of the product made with honey, as well as dried fruits, nuts or seeds.

Important: the glycemic index of kozinaki is from 45 to 80 units.

With pancreatitis

Pancreatitis involves a strict diet and the rejection of various delicious dishes. First of all, you need to refuse to eat fatty foods. This limitation applies to some types of sweets. Sunflower seeds, and therefore kozinaki, are the subject of controversy for most nutritionists. Nevertheless, most of them are inclined to prohibit this delicacy. With exacerbation, a particularly strict diet is observed. But even during remission, kozinaki should not be consumed. Even a small piece of such a dish can provoke pain in the stomach, cause nausea and vomiting, and even cause diarrhea.

Kozinaki with pancreatitis is dangerous for some reason. Nuts and seeds used to make sweets are forbidden because they stimulate the pancreas, which can lead to relapse of the gland. A binder in the form of sugar syrup is difficult to digest, therefore, it requires excessive synthesis of pancreatic juice and enzymes. It also puts a strain on the inflamed organ of the digestive tract.

Almost all the ingredients of kozinak (honey, nuts and seeds) are strong allergens. Against the background of inflammation of the pancreas, a person may experience an unusual reaction for his body. Even if previously there was no allergy to the components of kozinak, with this disease it may appear.

Most unscrupulous manufacturers use various additives in the form of flavorings, flavor enhancers, dyes for the manufacture of kozinak, all this negatively affects the digestive tract, in particular the pancreas.

Only with persistent remission, with the permission of a doctor, you can eat no more than 30 g of dessert. If there are no negative consequences, after a while you can again enjoy them in the same amount.

With gastritis

To understand whether kozinaki can be used when gastritis is detected, you need to remember that the basis of this product is most often sunflower seeds. However, even when using other ingredients, nutritionists do not recommend including the dish in the diet, since the use of solid and rough foods can injure the inflamed walls of the stomach. It should also be remembered that kozinaki contain a lot of fat and sugar. It follows that it is forbidden to consume this product with patients with gastritis.

With an exacerbation of the disease, Kozinaki should not be categorically eaten, as for the period of remission, not everything is so simple here. If a period of persistent remission is observed, and the disease has not been felt for a long time, you can eat a small amount of this product. It is important not to abuse it. Otherwise, such a dessert will cause pain in the stomach and cause heartburn, leading to exacerbation of gastritis.

It is forbidden to use kozinaki on an empty stomach. And you can not eat them, not only in case of gastritis, but also in the absence of such pathologies.

Kozinaki have useful properties, but there are also negative aspects. The product contains various vitamins and amino acids. But at the same time, the dish is high in fat, which negatively affects the state of the human body. It must be remembered that even the usual use of a large number of seeds provokes problems with the liver, kidneys, and also leads to weight gain. Therefore, if there are health problems, consult a specialist.

For constipation

Kozinaki can be used when constipation occurs. Sesame as part of such a treat has a mild laxative effect. Walnuts also have several advantages, one of which is to stimulate the functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Nutrients in nuts help fight chronic constipation. Dried fruits in the composition of kozinaki also contribute to the excellent cleansing of the intestines from toxins.

Harm and contraindications

Currently, the industrial production of kozinaki involves the use of various chemical additives. Often, manufacturers use thickeners, coloring components to obtain an attractive appearance. Also in the composition of kozinak you can find flavors and other dangerous substances. Instead of honey, sugar is used, the excessive consumption of which harms the human body. In large quantities, this ingredient can lead to the development of caries and various other dental diseases. In addition, harmful food inclusions can cause inflammation in the stomach.

Dessert is contraindicated in people who have diabetes. It is also not recommended to use the product if the body is often exposed to allergic diseases. It is important to be careful.

How to choose and store kozinaki

Kozinaki first appeared in Georgia. Today, traditions of making such sweets are still observed there. However, industrial products are not always of high quality. To choose a treat that is safe for your health, you must carefully study the information on the package when buying. The product should not contain artificial additives and dyes.You need to choose such kozinaki, in the manufacture of which honey was used, and not sugar syrup.

So, you should pay attention to the composition, color and smell. If the delicacy has a dark brown color, this suggests that the syrup is the binding component here. A quality product must have a specific smell that is characteristic of honey, nuts or dried fruit used. Do not buy kozinaki using aromatic components. Such a dessert will not bring any benefit to the body.

Once purchased, kozinaki should be stored in food paper or in a container with a tight lid. Shelf life is six months from the date of manufacture.

How to make kozinaki at home

With independent production of kozinaki at home, you can get a high-quality and natural product. To do this, you need 300 g of nuts, dried fruits or other ingredients, 50 g of sugar and 250 g of honey.

Consider how to cook such a treat at home. First you need to chop nuts thoroughly. If peanuts are used, it is enough to cut them in half, or to include in the dessert whole. Next, the nuts should be slightly fried without oil. This will make them more fragrant. After this, in a water bath, melt the sugar and mix it with honey. Such a syrup can be heated only up to 40 degrees, at higher temperatures the beneficial properties of honey are lost. Put parchment on a baking sheet and pour the roasted nuts there. Pour the mass with sweet syrup. After 15–20 minutes, cut the ready-made kozinaki into small pieces and leave them to dry for several hours.

If you wish, you can include dried fruits, dried apricots in a dish, pour over melted chocolate. In the process of cooking, you can use one type of nuts, add several varieties or combine them with seeds. However, you must remember that a large number of ingredients increases the calorie content of the finished product.

Kozinaki is a delicious product that is of great benefit to the human body. However, the treat gains useful properties only if natural components were used in its manufacture. And, of course, even home-made dessert should be eaten in moderation so as not to gain excess weight.

How much can you eat kozinaki per day

The rate of use of kozinaki depends on the main ingredient. The most common are sunflower seeds, the calorie content of such a treat is 515 kcal per 100 g. This amount is concentrated in a quarter of the usual daily calorie intake. Nutritionists recommend consuming no more than 60–70 g of product per day, drinking plenty of fluids to speed up metabolic processes.

Is it possible to eat kozinaki in fasting

Fasting is abstinence from animal products. For the preparation of natural kozinak, honey, nuts, seeds, that is, products of plant origin, are used. Therefore, this product can be eaten during fasting.

Interesting facts about Kozinaki

1. The homeland of the Kozinaks is Georgia. There, to this day, this dish belongs to the festive season and is served on the New Year's table. For us, this is an ordinary product.
2. In Georgia, kozinaki are considered a symbol of wealth in the house. The delicacy was found not only among wealthy feudal lords, but also on the tables of ordinary residents. Previously, there was a tradition of meeting warriors returning from the war with kozinaki, and not with bread and salt.

Photo Kozinakov