Health Benefits of Almond

Fortunately, the delicately flavored and versatile almond is available throughout the year to make a healthy and tasty addition to both sweet and savory dishes.

Fortunately, the delicately flavored and versatile almond is available throughout the year to make a healthy and tasty addition to both sweet and savory dishes. Although packaged almonds are available year round, they are the freshest in mid-summer, which is when they are at the height of their season.

Eating a handful of almonds a day as part of a healthful lifestyle may lower "bad" cholesterol levels and help reduce risk of heart disease. One of the studies presented is a first-of-a-kind analysis of several existing almond studies. The analysis of the body of studies as a whole showed resounding results of almonds'' ability to lower total and LDL or "bad" cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. The study consistently showed that people who eat roughly one handful of almonds (1 ounce) a day may significantly reduce total and LDL cholesterol.

Almonds are packed with protein and help to prevent diseases such as gallstones, type 1 diabetes, colon cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, cholesterol and aid weight loss. They are a good source of manganese, copper and vitamin B2 which help to fight against the health damaging free radicals and increase oxygen-based energy production which promotes the antioxidant molecule, glutathione.

Adding almonds to your diet may contribute to greater satiety and may
prevent weight gain. According to researchers at Purdue University,
preliminary results show that adding nearly two servings of almonds to one''s existing diet had no effect on body weight or percentage of body fat. The study showed that people who added almonds to their diets reduced calories from other food sources. As a result, individuals did not consume extra calories or gain weight.


One serving of almonds (a small handful) is reported to contain the same amount of these crucial nutrients as a small piece of broccoli. The researchers say just one ounce of almonds is as healthy as a cup of brewed black or green tea, which many nutritionists recommend for its antioxidant effects.

The presence of powerful nutrients such as proteins, dietary fibre, mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and Vitamin E make almonds a rich dietary source for combating degenerative diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Almonds are the best source of the alpha-tocopherol form of Vitamin E and among the best whole food sources.

Almond milk is rich in Vitamin E, a known antioxidant, and thus, is believed to good for those undergoing detoxification programs. Almond milk does not contain lactose. This makes it easily digestible and the perfect alternative for those suffering from lactose-intolerance.



Almonds are a great cholesterol-lowering food. Nearly 70 per cent of the fat in almonds is mono-unsaturated, a suggested substitute to saturated fats. This helps reduce cholesterol. Research shows that almond and almond oil have similar cholesterol lowering effects. In fact, eating almonds consistently lowers total and LDL cholesterol respectively by 4 and 5 per cent. This cholesterol lowering effect is similar to heart healthy foods such as oats and soy.
Almonds slow absorption of carbohydrates in the body, which may help
management of diabetes. In addition to lowering cholesterol levels and
reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, researchers at the University ofToronto are finding that eating almonds may reduce the impact carbohydrate-rich food has on blood sugar levels.

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