Adding healthy foods and eliminating processed foods to our diets can be an easy and quick way to see improvements in our health. Superfoods are often hyped up, but they’re extremely advantageous to our health.
Almonds are one of the many nutrient-packed foods coined with the term “superfood.” With numerous healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, almonds offer a wide range of versatility as nut butter, milk, and can be incorporated into various foods.
But what exactly are the health benefits of almonds? The benefits of this true superfood are numerous! Check out the incredible health benefits of almonds.
What Is a Super Food?
Superfoods are nutrient-dense foods that are incredibly beneficial for your health. Usually, they are plant-based but can include some fish and dairy. Blueberries, sweet potatoes, and kale are some examples of superfoods.
Even though there is no regulation for superfoods (it’s more of a marketing term), they provide numerous vitamins and minerals that are highly beneficial. Superfoods are known to ward off heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and chronic inflammation.
Heart Healthy
If you’re looking to improve your cardiovascular health, swapping out chips for a bag of almonds is the right move. Almonds have antioxidants, and when they are released into your bloodstream, they reduce your blood pressure and increase blood flow to the heart. Mediterranean diets are notorious for being heart-healthy, and nuts play a big part in a typical Mediterranean diet.
Packed With Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect our cells from oxidative stress. This type of stress is proven to cause heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and speeds up aging. Almonds are packed with antioxidants that are usually found in the skin. In a study with smokers, those who ate almonds showed cardiovascular improvement.
Keep in mind, almonds with the skin removed or blanched lose their health benefits.
Regulate Blood Sugar
Almonds are also an excellent source of magnesium. Magnesium helps to regulate blood sugar by resisting insulin. Eating a daily handful of almonds can be especially advantageous for people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Magnesium is also essential in maintaining a healthy nervous system and bone tissue.
Fights Inflammation
One of the incredible health benefits of almonds is their ability to reduce inflammation. A natural healing response of the body, chronic inflammation is notorious as it can cause organ damage and severe disease.
Vitamin E
One of the antioxidants in almonds is vitamin E. Almonds are one of the best sources of vitamin E, which supports our immune system and skin. This antioxidant is also known to prevent Alzheimer’s and can lower cholesterol. One ounce of almonds a day can provide over a third of the required daily intake of vitamin E.
Vitamin E is also a helpful mineral for maintaining eye health. High sources of vitamin E protect abnormalities in your lenses and corneas.
Weight Loss
Almonds can be an effective tool in weight loss thanks to their high protein and low carbohydrate content. Eating foods low in carbohydrates and high in protein help keep food cravings at bay, making it a resourceful and healthy snack. However, almonds should be consumed in moderation; their high-fat content can lead to weight gain.
Acne-Fighting
Thanks to the fatty acids found in almonds, they are considered effective weapons in treating persistent blackheads and acne. Almond oil applied to clogged pores will help control the oil, reducing blemishes. The acidity in almonds can also be effective for minimizing skin rashes and stretch marks.
Healthy Hair
Since almonds have anti-aging antioxidants, they can help prevent gray hairs. Almond oil can help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth, as it also contains biotin.
High in Fiber
The digestive system also benefits from a diet that includes almonds. Fiber flushes bad bacteria from your gut and makes you feel fuller faster, which aids in weight loss. Fiber grows or ferments in your digestive system and becomes short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs are effective in reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes.
The high fiber content of almonds also minimizes the risk of colon cancer.
Pregnancy
Folic acid is crucial in fetus development. Almonds are also an excellent source of folic acid. Implementing this nutrient into your diet as an expectant mother can help prevent congenital disabilities and improve the overall health of the fetus.
Brain Power
Almond milk is known to be a source of potassium. Potassium is a mineral that is important to circulation and electrolytes. Starting your day off with almond milk in a smoothie or cereal can make your mind sharper.
Types of Almonds
Almonds grow on trees, which classifies them as seeds. There are also multiple varieties of almonds originating in California. Some popular types of almonds include:
- Nonpareil – Nonpareil are trademarked with a thin and smooth shell. Typically, they are light in color.
- Carmel – Carmel nuts are a popular California strain. They are used often for roasting and blanching.
- Butte – These are very small in size and have wrinkled shells. The outer shell is reasonably hard but is also light in color and smooth to the touch.
- Peerless – These are another California almond. They are pale in color and have an almost pitted appearance to their shell.
- Sonora – The Sonora nut is the most recognizable. They are long and have a rough, dark brown shell.
Recipe Inspiration
Almonds offer a versatility that isn’t found in most other foods—almonds are reproduced as flour, oil, butter, and milk. They are a superfood that can be easily incorporated into your diet.
Here’s some almond recipe inspiration:
- Make a trail mix with almonds and dark chocolate.
- Add almonds into your next smoothie.
- Almond butter adds flavor and nutrition to a bowl of oatmeal.
- Ditch all-purpose flour and substitute with almond flour.
- Roast almonds in the oven with savory herbs for a filling snack.
- Use crushed almonds as a crust for fish dishes.
Almonds are a true superfood. Eating them regularly can improve your overall health and prevent chronic disease. This high-fiber nut offers benefits not seen in any other nut and, when enjoyed in moderation, can be a great source of nutrition.
To fill your pantry with this true superfood, find almond nuts for sale at Sohnrey Family Foods!
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