Almonds Health Benefits

What makes almonds popular and favorite among people, is the fact that they are available all the year around. So, unlike other seasonal products, people do not have to wait for a particular season to enjoy the flavor of these mouthwatering nuts. However, almonds are at their freshest and tastiest in mid-summer. Typically known as nuts, almonds are actually the seed of the fruit of the almond tree if we see it from a botanical aspect. Regarding their origin, the Mediterranean climate region of the Middle East is considered to be the native place. Almonds are attributed as "among the best of fruits" in the Bible and they still are! It's all due to their taste and benefits they provide. Here are the various almonds health benefits.

Health Benefits of Almonds

Almonds as Antioxidants
33% of the daily requirement of Vitamin E required by the body, can be made up by taking one ounce of almonds. That is the reason why they are considered rich source of Vitamin E. So by inculcating just one ounce of almonds in your daily diet, you can get essential amount of antioxidants in your body and help in the prevention of several chronic diseases.

Almonds Lower LDL Cholesterol
One of the most important almond health benefits is its ability to counter the 'bad' (LDL) cholesterol in the body. Almonds are high-fat food, but containing monounsaturated fats. These fats are associated with reduced risk of heart diseases. In certain studies, it was revealed that when almonds were combined with a healthy diet, the results were more impressive than ever.

Almonds for Weight Loss
One smart way for weight loss is to include almonds in your daily diet. These nuts are high in fiber and protein and help to keep you feel fuller for a longer time. So, till it is lunch or dinner time, you would not feel the need or temptation of munching those unhealthy 'fast foods' or 'junk foods'! So, keep some of these healthy nuts at your workplace and enjoy eating them instead of any potato chips or cookies.

Almonds for Magnesium and Potassium
Magnesium is required by the body for undisturbed blood circulation, oxygen and several nutrients throughout the body. Most cases of heart attacks are associated with a deficiency of this important mineral. So, a quarter-cup of almonds is good enough to make up for about 25% of the daily requirement of magnesium. Potassium is another substance which has its role in nerve transmission and contraction of different body muscles. Normal blood pressure and proper heart function is thus dependent on an adequate quantity of this mineral. A quater cup of almonds contain 257 mg of potassium, and beefs up your defense against high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

Other Health Benefits of Almonds
Use of almond oil is well-known for treating skin problems such as wrinkles, dark circles under eyes, dry skin, black heads, pimples and others. The oil is a prime ingredient which is used in many massage oils. It leaves the skin soft, smooth and refreshed. A face pack prepared by the mixture of almond oil, honey and lemon juice does great for the skin, when applied once a week. Apart from skin, treating hair problems is also an important part of almond health benefit. Hair-fall, dandruff, graying and dryness can be all addressed to by daily massages using almond oil.

Among all other remarkable almonds health benefits, is its quality to enhance brain power. For good memory, we require the brain boosting element known as nutrientriboflavin and L-carnitine. So these elements can be found in an abundant amount in almonds.

Almonds being high in folic acid, it is also immensely beneficial for expecting mothers and their new born babies. Folic acid helps in preventing any kind of abnormalities in infants.

One of the major almond milk health benefits is that it is lactose free, making it the best alternative to cow's milk. The milk which is derived from almonds is more suitable for people who are lactose intolerant. Such people find it difficult to digest the sugar found in cow's milk and so it is a smart and healthy choice to go for almond milk. The milk finds its application in almost all food recipes which has cow's milk as one of its ingredients. Apart from all these benefits, almond milk is free of antibiotics and hormones, nutritionally rich, low in calories and tastes great!

Apart from being available in raw, soaked and roasted form, almonds can also be taken in butter form. Almond butter is similar to peanut butter; healthy and delicious. It is available in chunky, smooth and flavored varieties and retains all the nutritional value of the almonds it is made from. The almond butter health benefits come from its content of monounsaturated fats. As mentioned above, these fats are effective in lowering cholesterol and reducing incidents of the onset of heart diseases. More on health benefits of almonds.

This article regarding almonds health benefits is an attempt to give an outlook of the numerous health benefits that this nut of the Mediterranean region has in store for us. Just 23 almonds a day and you can add more to your healthy life and happy smile!