Almonds, and their beneficial effects

You may think of them as just a tasty snack, but almonds are also a powerful weapon in your battle for better health!
Most of us have known the benefits of Almond oil, not so much about how Almonds can help us in our quest for many things, besides strength in this winter season. All of us know that the oil in Almonds make them really high caloric, but few of us know that they are also contributors of good cholesterol for our body. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, almonds are an easy, delicious way to get the nutrients you need, every day.

And don't forget, they're naturally cholesterol-free. From heart disease to cancer, almonds are fighting for your good health! Best for good health if you de-skin them and then have them earliest in the morning with a glass of warm milk. This is so, because essentially this mixture provides you with the right balance required by your skin, that too in the accurate concoction!

Almond Nutrients:

From folic acid to fiber, almonds are your personal nutritional powerhouses. If you think almonds are just for satisfying your mid-afternoon munchies, you’re in for a surprise! These tasty tidbits pack a nutritional punch, combining tons of essential nutrients in one very delicious package.

One teeny ounce of almonds contains 12 percent of your daily allowance of protein. And absolutely no cholesterol, of course! You’ll also get 35 percent of your daily allowance of vitamin E, that valuable antioxidant with so many cancer-fighting qualities. And most of the fat in almonds is monounsaturated, also known as "good" fat. We largely look at the word "fat" with disdain, little was it known that this kind of fat provides the much needed greasing and oiling for your bones especially in winter when the sebaceous glands that produce the oils required for our body shrink to an alarming extent.

This little nut is also loaded with minerals like magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, as well as lots of healthy fiber. And don’t forget calcium and folic acid – they’re in there too! When you get right down to the details, it is no wonder so may people are nuts about almonds! 20-25 almonds (approximately one ounce) contain as much calcium as 1/4 cup of milk, a valuable tool in preventing osteoporosis.

Almonds' role in heart disease prevention:

It is amazing but true, just a few almonds go a long way towards healthy levels of blood pressure and cholesterol. The latest research shows that almonds may play a leading role in preventing colon and lung cancer.

In conclusion
Several large-population studies have revealed that almonds lower risk factors for heart disease. All evidence tells us that almonds are good for you. They are cholesterol free, low in saturated fat, and a great source of fiber. They are also high in monounsaturated fat, which can help lower your "bad" cholesterol and maintain your "good" cholesterol.

Almonds are the best source of the antioxidant vitamin E in the form of alpha-tocopherol and also pack plenty of protein, magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper and zinc. Finally, almonds have plenty of phytochemicals, which have lots of health benefits of their own.

By Prerna Salla
Published: 12/21/2004
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