Nutritional Benefits of Almonds

Almond is one of my favorite nuts. I love it on my favorite milk or dark chocolate. It’s just so yummy that I can’t stop eating it. Sweetened almonds in cans are also one of my favorite forms of snack. This nut is very popular all over the world and it has a wide variety of uses from an ordinary afternoon or TV snack to a special ingredient for your favorite home-made cake.

Aside from it’s many uses, it is important to note also that almonds have many great health benefits to the human body. Almonds in the market comes in many forms and it is up to the individual which type he would want to buy.

Almond oil is extracted from the nut and the result is an oil which is rich in essential fatty acids and unsaturated fats. This oil can be used as a skin moisturizer as it is easily absorbed by the skin. Massage therapists also use almonds in massage sessions. Almond oil has become a favorite ingredient in many skin care and health products. It is also a good colon cleanser and helps prevent colon cancer as well as the other diseases in the intestines.

Almonds contain high amounts of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant which counteracts the harmful effects of free radicals in the body. This nutrient also helps moisturize the skin and is essential in maintaining a healthy and glowing complexion. The unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids in almonds help improve one’s complexion and results to a healthy glow. It is even essential to smooth out wrinkles.

Almonds help in lowering the body’s LDL cholesterol as it contains monounsaturated fats which is also good for the heart. Together with monosaturated fats, the potassium content of almond also help in the conditioning of the heart. It results to maintaining the body’s normal blood pressure and results to normal heart functioning. Almond skin also contains flavonoids and phytochemicals. According to Wisegeek.com, flavonoids biologically trigger production of natural enzymes in the body that fight disease. These produced enzymes reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and age-related degenerative diseases. Flavonoids can be found in red beans, cranberries, blackberries and blueberries, to name a few of its sources. Phytochemicals are essential in the protection for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

If taken after meals, it is believed that almonds help lower the body’s sugar level which is essential in the prevention of diabetes.  Almonds like peanuts are considered food for the brain. It is believed to induce high level of intellectual capacity as well as longevity in humans.