Overview
Almonds are said to be one of the world’s most loved tree nuts that are highly nutritious and filled with fats, antioxidants including vitamins and minerals.The almond is a tree nut native to the Mediterranean region. Historically, almond trees grew there wild and were later cultivated as early as 3000 BC. Almonds are even referenced in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, as a prized food given as gifts. The edible part of the almond is actually a seed from a drupe, a fruit in which the outer shell and hull layers are typically not eaten. After extracting the almond seed, the shells and hulls are often used for livestock feed and bedding.
Benefits
Almonds contain L-carnitine and riboflavin that helps in the growth of brain cells. One major chemical that helps the brain in cognitive function is phenylalanine and almonds do have this chemical in them. Consuming just five pieces of almonds every morning can help you boost your brainpower.
Almonds helps to lower levels of the bad kind of cholesterol, called low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and increase levels of the good kind, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Almonds also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help protect you from heart disease.
Although they contain a high number of calories, almonds can actually help to reduce your risk of weight gain and obesity — as long as you pay attention to portion size. The protein and fiber in the nuts make you feel full faster, so you can better control your calorie intake while still satisfying your hunger.
Almonds can help lower your systolic blood pressure, which offers even more protection against heart disease.
Almonds have calcium and phosphorus, which improve bone health and can protect you from fractures.
Almonds seem to help curb blood sugar spikes after meals, which is key for people with diabetes.
Almonds can protect the health and immunity of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A healthier gut means a better immune system and a stronger body.
Consuming almonds is said to regulate blood sugar levels and stabilize them. This is because almonds have magnesium in them and it advised that you consume a handful of almonds daily. However, for people suffering from type 2 diabetes, almonds play an integral role in stabilizing it
Almonds are said to contain higher levels of Vitamin E which is an antioxidant that protects your cells from getting toxic. With higher amounts of vitamin E being pumped into your bloodstream, this reduces your risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and heart disease.
While carrots are said to be very good for your eyes, almonds have a high source of vitamin E that protect your eyes and prevents abnormal changes to your lens.
Almonds have a rich source of antioxidants that can protect you against stress. Stress leads to molecule damage that thereby results in inflammation, cancer and ageing. The antioxidants prevalent in almonds benefit your skin. However, consuming 84 grams of almonds per day can increase the levels of antioxidants in your body that will protect you from ageing and various other diseases.
Almonds have certain amounts of fiber present in them that helps in detoxifying the body. Consuming almonds help food to move through the digestive system more easily. Almonds have high fiber in them and this reduces your risk of developing colon cancer. It also has loads of vitamin E and flavonoids that regulate breast cancer.
Anaemia is usually caused when red blood cells carry very less oxygen to the brain. Thus, almonds contain copper, iron and vitamins that help in producing more haemoglobin and as a result, almonds can be used to prevent anaemia.
Almonds have some amount of magnesium in them that benefits the nervous system. This also helps in developing a healthy metabolic rate. Magnesium also helps in better bone tissue. This has so much benefit that even peanut butter cannot offer you.
Almonds are considered to be the best remedy that can prevent and fight acne, blackheads and whiteheads through the fatty acids found in them. These fatty acids control the oil that gets clogged in these skin pores and thus when the almond oil is applied to your skin it also helps in reducing skin rashes.
Almonds contain folic acids that protect the mother from any sort of birth defects. Folic acid plays an integral role in the development of healthy cell growth and also helps in the life cycle of a growing fetus. Pregnant women who consume almonds can help protect their baby from developing any sort of birth defects.
Side Effects
If almonds are good for your health, it also has its own drawbacks if it is excessively consumed. Some people may develop allergies due to the over-consumption of almonds. Here are some of the risks that are associated with the consumption of almonds.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Diarrhoea
- Shortness in breath
- Severe itching
Note: If you are allergic to consuming almonds, then you need to avoid this nut as this can cause further complications.
How To Consume
Use sliced almonds as a crunchy topper for veggies
Eat almonds as they were practically made for: as a filling snack.
Replace white flour with almond flour when you’re making a fruit crisp.
Add a spoonful of almond butter to oatmeal to get a dose of protein and healthy fats.
Make a homemade trail mix with almonds, dried fruit, whole-grain cereal, and dark chocholate
Toast whole almonds with herbs and spices for a snack with a kick that’s perfect for cocktail hour.
Nutritional Value
1-ounce (28-gram) serving of almonds contains:
- Fiber: 3.5 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Fat: 14 grams (9 of which are monounsaturated)
- Vitamin E: 37% of the RDI
- Manganese: 32% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 20% of the RDI
- They also contain a decent amount of copper,
vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and phosphorus.
