Almonds may have more carbs than other keto nuts like macadamias or pecans, but they also pack more fiber, protein, and health benefits.
Nutrient-dense, delicious, and portable, science says almonds can help with weight loss, prevent weight gain, improve heart health, balance blood sugar levels, boost brain power, and so much more.Almonds are welcome on almost every healthy diet from keto to vegan and paleo as long as you’re not allergic to nuts, of course.Almond trees are native to North Africa, India, and the Middle East and thrive in warm, dry weather.
* Lower InflammationThe antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats in almonds do wonders for inflammation in your body.Chronic inflammation happens when your body thinks it’s under a constant state of attack. This can be triggered by many things, but a poor diet is one of the biggest culprits.
Higher inflammation means your risk factors for cardiovascular disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, leaky gut syndrome, and even mental illness all increase.
* Source of Vitamin EVitamin E may not be on your radar, but this fat-soluble vitamin is also a powerful antioxidant.Antioxidants protect your cells from free radical damage caused by things like a poor diet, smoking, and environmental pollutants.The more oxidative damage your cells have to battle, the greater your risk for developing chronic diseases and cancer.
* Protection From Cognitive Decline and Neurological DisordersStudies show supplementing with vitamin E may prevent cognitive decline or slow it down if it’s already occurring.Experts from one trial successfully used a form of vitamin E to treat participants with moderately severe impairment and help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, a serving of almonds also contains 17% of your daily riboflavin, which boasts neuroprotective benefits for a wide range of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s.
* Reduced Cancer RiskResearch shows people who eat higher quantities of almonds (and other nuts like walnuts) reduce their risk of breast cancer by up to three times more than those who seldom snack on them.Higher vitamin E intake has been associated with lower risks of developing colon cancer, especially if you’re under 65.
Vitamin E has also been connected with significantly reduced prostate cancer rates and lower oxidative stress as well.
* Better Cholesterol LevelsIf you have high cholesterol, you may be avoiding foods with high fat content like almonds, but research shows this is a bad move.Eating almonds regularly helps your body increase high-density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol levels) while lowering low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol levels).
This is important because having more LDL cholesterol may put you at a greater risk for heart disease while having higher HDL decreases that risk.