Almonds are more than just an occasional snack or a garnishing ingredient. Almonds have a top-class nutrient value and a wide vital substance spectrum which has an extremely positive effect on our health. Let’s look at the benefits of Almonds.
What are Almonds?
Let us clear up a common misconception in advance that Almonds are not nuts but the seeds of so-called stone fruits, which also include plums and apricots. It has been cultivated by humans for 4,000 years. The almond trees grow particularly well in the Mediterranean, California, and also in the Middle East and Central Asia. The almond tree is extremely frugal, heat-tolerant and windproof. It blossoms with lush white or pink splendour in February and delivers impressive harvests in July despite the months of drought. Let’s take a look at what are the benefits of almonds.
Benefits of Almonds
Hundreds of years ago, the almond was an important staple of human beings in subtropical regions. The almond contains almost 19 percent high-quality protein and thus made a major contribution to meeting the protein requirements of the then Mediterranean people. The almond also saturates without making you fat, so that it helps people to stay productive, fit and slim with small meals. Almonds are full of fatty acids that protect your health.
The benefit of eating almonds is that your body cannot fully utilize the fat from them. Most of them are simply undigested. This is one of the reasons why almonds don’t make you fat and are so healthy. A regular snack of almonds can even help you lose weight because they fill you up and reduce your desire for carbohydrates.
Almonds contain many valuable ingredients that explain the benefits of almonds for our body.
Almonds contain:
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids: They are indispensable for certain bodily functions, such as digestion, the immune system and some cardiovascular functions.
Protein: Almonds have a lot of protein which makes a major contribution to meeting the protein requirements .
Vitamin E: It acts in the body as an antioxidant that fends off free radicals.
Vitamin B: This includes folic acid, which is essential for bodily functions and plays an important role, especially in pregnancy.
Calcium: The mineral is used to build bones and teeth.
Potassium: The mineral is involved in controlling blood pressure, among other things.
Iron: The trace element is indispensable for oxygen transport in the body cells.
Magnesium: It is important in the body for muscle and nerve functions.
Zinc: The trace element plays a key role in the metabolism of sugar, fat and protein.
Dietary fibre: They promote digestion and intestinal health. They are mainly found in the brown skin of the almonds.
In contrast to nuts such as hazelnuts or walnuts, almonds are basic foods. So they can be wonderfully integrated into a basic diet.
The list of almonds benefits is huge. There is rarely any other snack that has so many qualities.
Almonds strengthen the heart and circulation.
Almonds taste delicious and are extremely beneficial for our body. The cardiovascular system, in particular, benefits from this. Regular consumption of almonds increases the proportion of antioxidants that protect the body from cell-damaging influences like UV radiation. It improves the blood flow in vessels and helps in reducing the blood pressure. Almonds also protect the blood vessels and rejuvenate them.
Almonds keep blood sugar levels at bay
Glucose intolerance is a precursor to diabetes. It turns out that people who eat whole almonds feel fuller longer. Almond also helps in lowering the blood sugar level. The unsaturated fatty acids of the almonds protect the metabolism. The fibre prevents the blood sugar level from rising too high after meals.
Almonds have a cholesterol-lowering effect
Another benefit of almonds is that they protect your vessels and your heart by regulating cholesterol levels. More specifically, they reduce the bad LDL cholesterol in the blood and increase the levels of good HDL cholesterol.
Almonds lower the risk of coronary artery disease
Almonds and nuts may reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease. The polyphenols, fibre, and the favourable composition of the fatty acids contained in almonds produce this positive effect. It is a common fact now that eating 20 grams of almonds a day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by half.
Almonds make you slim.
Although almonds are relatively high in calories, they’re not just healthy, but they even curb appetite. In addition to high-quality fat, they contain plenty of filling fibre and protein. A handful as a snack every day is enough to reduce the desire for carbohydrates.
Suggested Read- What Are The Benefits Of A Banana?
Almonds consist of 50 percent fat. Nevertheless, they are considered healthy foods and are not fattening because their fat content is mainly composed of essential fatty acids. Your body cannot make these yourself, and you have to ingest them with food.
So, these are the few benefits of almonds that must make you include almonds in your daily diet.