Almonds Benefits For Health
The health benefits of almonds are extensive, and they are frequently used as a healthy solution for relief from heart and brain disorders, diabetes, constipation, respiratory disorders, coughs, anemia, and impotency. They also help in hair, skin (psoriasis), and dental care.
What are Almonds?
Almonds are the seeds of the fruits cultivated from the almond tree. The scientific name of these dry fruits is Prunus Dulcis and they are native to the Middle East, India, and North Africa. They are now found in places like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Israel. The taste of almonds ranges from sweet to bitter and both are readily available in markets.
Sweet almonds are edible, while bitter ones are used for making oil, a common oil that is used to add flavor to the food. They are usually eaten raw, but many people also add them as ingredients in salads, casseroles, and other dishes. Almond milk is also a delicious beverage and an alternative to less nutritious cow’s milk. You can eat almonds directly, preferably on an empty stomach to increase and speed up the absorption of their nutrients. You can soak them in water overnight so you can eat them the next morning. Crushed almonds are also a wonderful garnish for a number of dishes.
Almonds Nutrition Facts
Almond is a highly nutritional nut and a rich source of vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron, and magnesium. It also contains zinc, selenium, copper, and niacin. Compared to all other nuts, they are richer in nutrients and beneficial components.
Almonds Health Benefits
They are known to have great medicinal value and are good in taste. These are the main reasons why so many people proactively add them to their diet. Some of the researched and verified benefits of almonds are given below.
Improve Bone Health
Almonds are a fantastic source of many vitamins and minerals, and phosphorous is definitely counted among them! Phosphorous can have a considerable impact on the strength and durability of bones and teeth, while also preventing the onset of age-related conditions like osteoporosis.
Skin Care
The benefits of almonds with regards to skin health are well known, and almond oil massages are often recommended for newborn babies. Almond milk is also added to some soaps, because of their well-established reputation for improving the complexion of skin.
Prevent Cancer
Almonds improve the movement of food through the colon, thereby preventing build-up and subsequent colon cancer. The National Cancer Center has done extensive research on the link between high-fiber diets and a reduced risk of colon cancer.
Good for Pregnancy
Almonds contain folic acid, which helps to reduce the incidence of birth defects in newborn babies. It also stimulates healthy cell growth and tissue formation. Neural tube defects are conditions where the neural tube is either underdeveloped or is partially missing in the fetus. Doctors regularly prescribe folic acid supplements to pregnant women to ensure proper development of the tube, and almonds have enough folic acid to keep mothers and their babies healthy.
Boost Energy Production
The presence of manganese, copper, and riboflavin in almonds helps in energy production and metabolic rate. If you are on the go, a handful of these dry fruits can get you through the day without filling you up with calories or fat.
Weight Loss
Unsweetened almond milk can be used if you are attempting to lose weight. The mono-unsaturated fat contained in almonds satisfies the appetite and prevents over-eating. The dietary fiber in almonds also contributes to the sensation of feeling full, despite eating only a small amount. Studies have revealed that an almond-rich, low-calorie diet is good for obese people to assist in shedding their excess weight.
Studies have shown that people who regularly consume almonds (at least twice a week) are far more likely to remain at their ideal weight, rather than those who rarely or never consume almonds and suffer from weight fluctuations. Finally, the fiber contributes to consistent bowel movements, which helps in weight loss and the general health of the body through the elimination of toxins.
Protect Against Diabetes
Almonds also help to reduce the reactionary rise in glucose and insulin levels after meals. This modulation offers protection from the dangerous spikes in blood sugar which diabetics often suffer from following a large meal, or a meal with an unexpectedly high level of sugar in it. Almonds help to regulate the absorption and processing of glucose, making the entire process much smoother, and subsequently safer.
Strengthen Immune System
Your body has many components that add to overall health, including the alkalinity of the systems. Almonds are great sources of alkali materials, and this is known to benefit the strength of the immune system, as well as increase the ability to stave off diseases and various health conditions. Along with almonds’ contribution to alkaline levels, they also have a high content of vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant. It seeks out all the damaging free radicals in the body and eliminates them because they actually promote chronic diseases and can be horribly hazardous to the body’s organ systems. Antioxidants like the vitamin E found in almonds affect all major diseases, including cancer and heart diseases. Research has actually shown that people who ingest high levels of vitamin E are actually 30-40% less likely to contract heart diseases.
Regulate Cholesterol Level
Regular consumption helps to increase the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol levels and they reduce the low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol levels. This balance is vital to a healthy cholesterol level, and a reduction of LDL (bad) cholesterol is always a good thing.
Boost Brain Health
Almonds are a rich source of many nutrients which help in the development and health of the human brain. They have been connected to a higher intellectual level and they have long been considered an essential food item for growing children. These dry fruits also contain two vital brain nutrients, riboflavin and L-carnitine, which have been shown to increase brain activity, resulting in new neural pathways and a decreased occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that almonds in the diet, as well as almond oil, is nutritive to the overall health and functioning of the nervous system.
Many mothers give water-soaked almonds to their children every morning. Two or three seeds are enough, and you can also remove the outer layer if it causes allergic reactions, as the majority of the nutrients are not held in it.
