title: Mediterranean nuts: origins, ancient medicinal benefits and symbolism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To consider historical aspects of nuts in relation to origin and distribution, attributed medicinal benefits, symbolism, legends and superstitions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of historical aspects of nuts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mediterranean region.
  
  
  METHODS
  The varieties reviewed include almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts and pistachios.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Like other foods, nuts have a wide variety of cultural connections to the areas where they grow and to the people who live there or eat them. History, symbolism and legends reveal the ancient tradition of nuts and how they are related to the lives of our ancestors. Archaeological excavations in eastern Turkey have uncovered the existence of a non-migratory society whose economy centred on harvesting nuts. This shows that nuts have been a staple in the human diet since the beginnings of history. Moreover, since ancient times nuts have been used for their medicinal properties. They also play a role in many old legends and traditions.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, IISPV, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casas-Agustench
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salas-Huetos
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salas-Salvadó
mesh_terms: D031211:Corylus; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean / Q000266:history*; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D031324:Juglans; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009754:Nuts; D027927:Pistacia; D027861:Prunus