The Timeless Allure of Almonds

The body needs adequate amounts of fat in the diet in order to properly absorb “fat-soluble” nutrients, like vitamins A and D. Almonds are also capable of positively affecting the gastrointestinal tract, reducing acid buildup and balancing the body’s pH. A healthy pH level is crucial for proper digestion, immunity and disease prevention. Additionally, the nutrients present in almonds may help regulate digestive enzymes that are involved in nutrient extraction, cholesterol synthesis and bile acid production.

7. Improves Digestive Health

In addition to healthy fats and alkaline-forming molecules, almonds (especially the skin of almonds) contain prebiotic components that help with digestion, detoxification and healthy bacterial growth within the microbiota/gut flora. This is key to actually utilizing nutrients from the foods we eat.

Studies suggest that almonds and almond skins may lead to an improvement in the “intestinal microbiota profile.” This means the intestine’s bacterial activities improve and promote numerous health benefits due to the presence of prebiotic properties, the precursors for probiotics. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture found, “Both raw and roasted almonds exhibit potential prebiotic effects, including regulation of intestinal bacteria and improved metabolic activities.”

A 2014 study by the Institute of Food Science & Technology in China found that when women ate a daily dose of 56 grams of almonds over an eight-week period, significant increases in the populations of healthy gut bacteria called Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were observed.

8. Can Help Fight Cancer and Inflammation

Almonds contain gamma-tocopherol, a type of vitamin E that acts as a powerful antioxidant. Thus, almonds fight free radical damage and oxidative stress that are linked to cancer. Many studies find a link between nut consumption and cancer prevention, including a reduced risk for colon, prostate and breast cancers.

9. Helps Maintain Dental and Bone Health

Almonds are a good source of trace minerals, including magnesium and phosphorus, which play a role in building and maintaining strong teeth and bones. Due to their mineral content, almonds nutrition benefits may include the ability to help prevent tooth decay, fight cavities, lower the risk for bone fractures and fight osteoporosis.

Almonds Nutrition in Traditional Medicine

Historically, almonds have meant many things to various cultures. Hebrew literature from 2,000 B.C. mentions almonds, as does early literature from Turkey, Romania and the Baltic peninsula. The Bible also makes numerous references to almonds, describing them as an object of value and a symbol of hope, for example, in Genesis 43:11.

Records even show that King Tut took several handfuls of almonds to his grave dating back to 1352 B.C. Years later, almond trees were believed to grow near trade routes like the famous Silk Road that connected central China with the Mediterranean. Almonds were popular in the diets of ancient Egyptians and Indian populations as well.

Today, we still see traditional uses of almonds in systems of medicine such as Ayurveda. Ancient Indian Ayurvedic practitioners believed that almonds were capable of increasing brain capacity, intellectual ability and longevity. Almonds are also highly regarded in Ayurveda for their vata-pacifying effects. This means that they are grounding, sweet and warming. It’s recommended that almonds be blanched and soaked overnight to help improve digestion and release nutrients.

Almonds come in two varieties: sweet and bitter. Oils from sweet almonds are extracted to form almond oil, a beneficial and hydrating oil with many healing body and household uses. A traditional Ayurvedic practice is massaging warmed almond oil into the skin to promote circulation, relaxation and skin health. Almond oil is said to not only lubricate the skin, but to “support all the seven dhatus (tissues), especially Shukra dhatu (reproductive tissue).”

Sweet almonds are also used in many recipes in Asia, the U.S. and the Mediterranean, where nuts are considered an important part of the Mediterranean diet. One popular use of almonds in Italy is to crush almonds into marzipan, which is used as a sweet ingredient in baked goods. They’re also added to stir-fries, used to make almond oil for cooking and used to produce almond extract that makes a good stand-in for vanilla extract. In India, almonds are often sprinkled and chopped, then added to puddings/cereal, muffins, breads, grains and salads (commonly with ingredients like walnuts, sunflower seeds, dates and raisins). They are sometimes blended into salad dressings or added to smoothies for a satisfying drink.

Almonds vs. Peanuts vs. Walnuts vs. Cashews

Compared to many other nuts, such as walnuts, almonds are a bit less calorie-dense. They are generally higher in protein and lower in fat than many other nuts too. For example, you can eat 23 almonds for 160 calories, versus 14 walnut halves for 190 calories

• Peanuts and almonds have similarities in that both are high in protein and fiber, plus lower in calories that many other nuts. However, peanuts can contain mold and are a common allergen, so take precaution when eating them. Almond butter makes a great alternative to peanut butter for people who are allergic to sensitive to peanuts or have a peanut allergy.
• Almonds contain more monounsaturated fat and less polyunsaturated fat, including less omega-3s, than walnuts do. Almonds are considered a better source of fiber, calcium and vitamin E (the best nut source of this antioxidant) than walnuts.
• Compared to almonds nutrition, cashews  nutrition is a better source of vitamin K and zinc. However, cashews have less fiber, vitamin E and calcium. Cashews are one of the highest-carb nuts (although still relatively low in carbs) and generally a good way to get magnesium and healthy saturated fats.

Eating a variety of nuts gives you the most benefits. That’s because various nuts and seeds contain different amounts of healthy fats and slightly different antioxidants and minerals. For example, macadamia nuts are one of the nuts with the most monounsaturated fat and highest amount of calories. Hazelnuts are rich in unsaturated fats (mostly oleic acid) and high in magnesium, calcium and vitamins B and E. Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium (just one nut contains more than a day’s worth!) and contain a good mix of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat.

How to Buy and Use

How many almonds should you eat a day? When it comes to all nuts, the standard recommendation is to eat a small “handful,” or roughly a 1/4 cup (about 1 to 1.5 ounces), of nuts at a time — rather than getting carried away with a very large portion size that can cause a stomach ache. Studies show that daily consumption of almonds in this amount (1.5 ounces) is enough to help prevent the onset of cardiometabolic diseases in healthy individuals .If you eat almond butter as opposed to whole almonds, about one to two tablespoons at one time is considered a standard serving size.

Types of Almonds Sold in Stores

Not all almonds are created equal. You definitely want to avoid almonds and any nuts coated in sugar, hydrogenated oils and tons of sodium. Many nuts undergo processing that lower their health benefits. For example, by heating nuts to very high temperatures, some of their antioxidants can be destroyed.

Let’s talk about the different types of almonds available in grocery stores. For example, what are blanched almonds? What about raw almonds?

• Raw almonds — Raw almonds are those that have not been cooked, blanched or pasteurized and still have their brown skins intact. Technically, there is no legal definition of “raw” when it comes to almonds, so it’s still possible that raw almonds sold in stores have been heated to some extent. However, most authorities claim that studies show that pasteurization doesn’t change the nutritional value of almonds.
• Blanched almonds — Blanched almonds are raw almonds that have been boiled in water quickly, for about one to two minutes, in order to help shed their outer skins.

One downside of consuming almonds produced in the U.S. is that United States law demands that all raw almonds be pasteurized, steamed or irradiated before being sold to consumers. According to the USDA, there are several mandatory pasteurization treatment processes to reduce the level of potential contamination in almonds “without diminishing the product’s quality, nutritional value or sensory qualities (taste and crunch).” These include: oil roasting, dry roasting and blanching, and steam processing. Many go through steam pasteurization so the almonds don’t carry bacteria from the fields to consumers. The whole process from start to finish can take about nine hours.

Almonds contain natural fatty acids and oils that are sensitive to high heat, so when they’re highly processed it’s possible to turn these oils “rancid.” For example, when almonds are roasted, they’re usually soaked in hydrogenated or GMO oils, fat that’s harmful and promotes heart disease. As a rule of thumb, the less processing done to almonds the better. Pre-shelled and roasted almonds are likely less beneficial than lightly blanched or raw almonds still found in their natural casing.

Soaking/Sprouting Almonds

One step that can actually increase the nutrient content of almonds is soaking and sprouting them. Soaking and sprouting almonds removes some of their naturally occurring antinutrients that block the body from absorbing some minerals. Soak them overnight for 12–24 hours in a big bowl, covering them with water and rinsing them the next morning.

How About Almond Butter or Almond Flour?

Both are great options for adding more almonds nutrition into your diet. Almond butter is simply ground almonds, but look for butters that contain no added oils or sugar. Your best bet? Make almond butter yourself by grinding the nuts in a high-speed blender or food processor until smooth.

When it comes to almond flour (also called almond meal), again look for simple and straightforward ingredients, usually just almonds. Use almond meal to replace bread crumbs, and combine it with other gluten-free flours or coconut flour to make baked goods.

What about almond milk? Almond milk has become a very popular dairy alternative. It’s low in calories and can make a smart swap for regular milk. Just make sure you choose a brand that is unsweetened and doesn’t contain many hard-to-pronounce chemicals. You can also make homemade almond milk by blending and straining almonds, which leaves behind a “milky” liquid that can be sweetened with vanilla extract and stevia.

Recipes

You can take advantage of almonds nutrition benefits by making some of these healthy recipes:

• Almond Butter Banana Protein Bars Recipe
• Almond Berry Cereal Recipe
• Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Recipe

History and Facts

Would you believe that today the almond industry is estimated at $4.3 billion annually and over 2 billion pounds of almonds are produced worldwide each year? Unlike many other nuts and fruits, the U.S. — specifically California, which is actually the only state to produce almonds commercially — is the largest producer of almonds, producing about 80 percent of the world’s almonds.

Almonds might be growing in popularity every year as research reveals more about almonds nutrition benefits, but almond consumption actually goes back thousands of years to around 4,000 B.C. The almond tree species is native to the Middle East and South Asia. A tall tree with pink and white flowers, it grows in warm and dry climates, which is why it spread through the Mediterranean region and became a staple in the diet there.

Wild almonds are actually bitter and naturally contain toxic substances like deadly cyanide, so humans had to first find a certain type of “sweet” almond among the many different almond tree species before domesticating them. In India and Pakistan, almonds have been a mainstream part of the diet for centuries, where they’re called badam. Almonds were first spread by humans in ancient times along the shores of the Mediterranean into northern Africa, Asia and southern Europe, eventually making their way to the U.S. Along the way, the word “almond” was given to the nut, which comes from the old French word almande.

Risks and Side Effects

As with all nuts, allergies can be an issue for some people when it comes to almonds. Children are more susceptible to nut allergies and should avoid almonds if they have a known allergy.

Can too many almonds be bad for you? For those not allergic almonds, there are a few other potential downsides to almonds when eaten in large amounts — mainly that they provide a high amount of calories and too much vitamin E in some cases. Eating too many nuts can trigger weight gain, cause certain medicine interactions (like vitamin E overdose) and might lead to gastrointestinal problems in some, but this is usually only a risk if you consume a very high amount. As with all sources of healthy fats, they should make up a substantial part of your diet, but portion control is important.

One final note is that raw almonds have the potential to carry bacteria, which is why the USDA requires them to be processed. In rare cases, salmonella and E. coli have been carried by raw almonds, so as of 2007, raw, untreated California almonds aren’t technically available in the U.S. — although most people experience no problems eating raw almonds.

When it comes to bitter almonds, according to the Food and Drug Administration, bitter almonds are considered “poisonous” since they contain certain acids that can cause problems in rare cases, so they aren’t recommended for consumption — although some alternative health practitioners disagree with this.

Final Thoughts

• Almonds (Prunus dulcis) are small stone fruits in the Amygdalus family. They are a good source of healthy fats, vitamin E, manganese, riboflavin, magnesium and protective phytosterol antioxidants.
• Even though almonds are energy-dense and high in unsaturated fatty acids, the benefits of almonds still make this nut a very nutrient-dense food, especially for heart health.
• The top nine health benefits of almonds nutrition include preventing heart disease, supporting brain function, maintaining skin health, preventing diabetes, assisting weight loss, supporting digestive health, fighting inflammation and cancer, and maintaining bone health.