6 Amazing And Age Old Health Benefits Of Almonds

Almonds have been the most popular nut all over the world since ancient times. They are rich in a wide variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants. The health benefits of almonds and that too raw almonds are abundant in amount.

Technically speaking, the raw almonds that you eat are not nuts but the seed of the almond fruit. However, people all over the world have been using them for centuries for their immensely huge benefits on health.

These days people use almond in a variety of ways- as a standalone healthy snack, in the form of almond milk, almond flour or sliced almonds. They can also be used as a taste enhancer by adding them to salads. Let’s check out some of the most striking health benefits of almonds:

# Nutrient Factory

Almonds are rich in loads of nutrients- healthy fats like monounsaturated fats, vitamin B, Vitamin E, fibers, and minerals like magnesium, zinc, copper. This large nutrient factory in almonds makes them an ideal food to include in your diet.

Although due to high amount of fat content, almonds are high in calories. However, a major portion of those calories come from healthy monounsaturated fats which are good for your health unlike saturated and trans fats present in junk foods.

# Almonds for Heart

Almonds are one of the most widely recommended food for heart patients as well as to minimize the risk of heart diseases. The heart benefits of almond are due to the presence of minerals like magnesium and healthy monounsaturated fats.

Improves blood circulation and lowers blood pressure - Magnesium helps in relaxing the blood artery walls and improve the blood flow. Patients who suffer from heart attacks are often immediately supplied with magnesium dosage to increase blood circulation to the heart. Magnesium is also crucial for the prevention of hypertension and high Blood pressure. These both conditions often precede much serious heart diseases.

Lowers cholesterol - The healthy fats in almond also help in lowering the LDL lipoproteins or bad cholesterol in the body. The presence of this cholesterol in excess leads to cardiovascular diseases. The antioxidants present in almonds can also prevent the oxidation of LDL. The presence of oxidized LDL is also linked to heart diseases and by reducing it, almonds can help in keeping heart diseases away.

# Almonds for Diabetes

Almonds are a low Glycemic Index (GI) food. That means they do not lead to a rapid rise in blood sugar levels which lead to insulin resistance causing diabetes. In fact, you can take almonds with other foods with comparatively higher GI and almonds can bring down the overall GI of the meal. In addition to it, magnesium in almonds also aids in maintaining optimum sugar levels in the bloodstream by regulating the function of insulin.

# Almond Benefits for Weight Loss

As against many of you might believe, eating almonds is not going to increase your weight as long as you are taking them in a moderate amount. Yes, they are high in calories, but a majority of those calories come from healthy monounsaturated fats.

Also, almonds are rich in fiber that means they will keep you full for a longer period. You will have fewer hunger pangs if you take almonds as snacks instead of munching on high-calorie snacks. You will also intake fewer calories due to this reason which will ultimately lead to weight loss.

# Antioxidant Health Benefits of Almond Nuts

Almonds contain plenty of polyphenol-based antioxidants. Most of these antioxidants are present in the brown shell of almonds and work against oxidative stress damages inside your body. This stress is primarily caused by the presence of free radicals which break down cells and tissues inside the body.

This often leads to conditions primarily associated with aging. Antioxidants in almonds fight these free radicals in various parts of the body minimizing the damage to the cell structure.

# Health Benefits of Almond Oil

Eating almonds in their raw form as nuts have their benefits. However, apart from it, almond oil also has a multitude of uses. Almond oil contains all the major nutrients present in raw almonds. On top of it, almond oil has excellent moisturization and nourishing properties which work wonders for the overall beauty of a person.

It can also permeate the skin quickly and is very lightweight making it an ideal component of many commercial beauty products.