What is Almonds?
Almonds are very rich nuts with high fiber content, vitamins and minerals, phyto-chemicals. They are a source of: zinc, vitamin E (contain about 25 g per100 g), which is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, maintains cell membrane integrity and protects skin from harmful oxygen-free radicals, B-complex groups of vitamins (riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates), calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, zinc and selenium. 30 grams of almonds has 9% of the recommended amount for calcium and 27% for magnesium (which is very good for your bones!).
The health benefits of Almonds
These nuts have many antioxidants flavonoids (amygdalin or laetrile). They lower cholesterol and heart diseases and may help fight different types of cancer (animals were fed almond meal based diet to study its effects. And, it showed fewer signs of colon cancer and rapidly dividing cells), they are very rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and palmitoleic acids) – these acids helps to lower LDL (“bad cholesterol”) and increase HDL (“good cholesterol”).
Researches and studies suggest eating Mediterranean diet which has a lot of monounsaturated fatty acids because it helps prevent coronary artery diseases. As well, almonds are very popular, because they are gluten free. This diet is healthy alternative for people who have wheat food allergy and celiac disease. Hand full of almonds a day provides a recommended level of minerals, vitamins, and protein.
More about Almonds
Almond oil is used for cooking, it protects skin from dryness and it is also used in traditional medicines, aromatherapy, pharmacy, cosmetics.