The Benefits Of Almonds For Your Health
The benefits of almonds have a huge impact on your weight management, bone health, gut microbiome, blood sugar levels, and more. So let’s take a closer look!
Almonds are a favorite snack for many people around the world and have been cultivated for consumption for centuries.
One of the world’s most popular tree “nuts” is actually not a tree nut at all, but rather a seed, coming from the Prunus Dulcis tree.
Archaeological research has uncovered evidence of almond cultivation in Jordan up to 5,000 years ago.
But what made almonds so special that people cultivated them so early? Let’s find out!
Health Benefits Of Almonds
Let’s look at some of the benefits of including almonds in your diet:
1. Nutrient Density
Almonds are an extremely nutrient-dense food. They contain an impressive array of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber.
Approximately 1 ounce of almonds contains one-eighth of a person’s daily protein needs.
Almonds are a high-fat food, largely monounsaturated fat, meaning that they provide the heart-protecting “good” HDL cholesterol versus “bad” LDL cholesterol.
They are jam-packed with nutrients such as:
- Vitamin E;
- Selenium;
- Zinc;
- Calcium;
- Magnesium;
- And B vitamins including folate and biotin (vitamin B7).
2. Help In Managing Weight
It has been shown that almond consumption helps reduce LDL cholesterol levels which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, especially in overweight individuals.
Due to their satiating nature, nuts are a valuable addition to your diet. Feeling full can help with weight loss as it can stop people from reaching for unhealthy snacks.
However, it is worth noting that our bodies do not absorb 10% to 15% of the calories in nuts. Visit Wellness Nova for more tips on following a healthy diet.
3. Maintain Bone Health
Almonds contain magnesium, manganese, copper, protein, vitamin K, zinc, and calcium. And all these contribute to bone health and strength, which is important for aging well.
You can eat almonds regularly to fight osteoporosis, according to a renowned scientific study.
4. Improve The Gut Microbiome
Possibly in part due to their high fiber content, consuming almonds can help alter the gut microbiome.
Eating a handful of almonds or drinking a glass of almond milk can help keep the gastrointestinal tract moving, preventing constipation.
Almonds also help promote healthy bacteria in your gut, which helps to improve immunity and ward off illness.
5. Almonds Are Beneficial For Blood Sugar Levels
There is some evidence that the consumption of almonds may help with blood sugar levels.
People who suffer from type 2 diabetes have been known to have low magnesium levels. Magnesium is involved in more than 300 bodily processes. Scientists have suggested a link between magnesium and insulin resistance.
Eating 2 ounces of almonds provides 150 milligrams of this important mineral, half of the recommended daily amount (RDA) of magnesium.
6. High Vitamin E Content
Almonds contain one of the highest levels of vitamin E of any food source. Vitamin E is a family of fat-soluble antioxidants.
One ounce of almonds provides more than 7 milligrams of vitamin E, which is around half of a person’s recommended daily amount.
To Sum Up
Almonds have been a popular food for millennia all around the world. This popular “nut” provides a plethora of potent benefits, making it a valuable addition to anyone’s diet.
Almonds are extremely nutrient-dense, with just 1 ounce providing an eighth of a person’s daily protein needs, half a person recommended vitamin E needs, and a quarter of their magnesium needs.
Consuming almonds will help in managing weight, promoting bone health, and improve the gut microbiome as well as help to regulate your blood sugar levels.
As you can see, the benefits of almonds help improve your overall health, which makes them a perfect snack. So add almonds to your diet!
