Properties of almonds

Nuts have been a staple ingredient since ancient times in cultures around the world. In Roman times, nuts were considered the food of the gods and their consumption was associated with good health and memory. Two thousand years later, scientific research has confirmed these beliefs, the properties of almonds and nuts are magnificent. A fantastic way to take advantage of them is with our honey with almonds and walnuts.

Summary: Almonds are a very nutritious nut that provides us with a large number of health benefits. In addition, it has many uses in the kitchen. Also, in our shop we have at your disposal different quality products with almonds, such as: honey with almonds and nuts and chocolate with almonds.

Other interesting articles: Properties of apple cider vinegar. Properties of rosemary. Properties of lavender. Benefits of legumes. Proven properties of cinnamon. Properties of garlic. Properties of walnuts. Properties of almonds. Properties of lemon. Properties of blueberries. Properties of chocolate. Properties of eggs.

1. What are almonds?

Almonds, along with other nuts, are fundamental constituents of the Mediterranean diet and have excellent nutritional value.  Almonds contain protein, fat, mainly monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid), minerals such as magnesium, iron and potassium, flavonoids, antioxidants and vitamins A, E, B1 and B2.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the almond is a complete food and constitutes a fundamental element in a healthy and balanced diet. Read more about other food properties. Benefits of olive oil

In our shop in Las Rozas de Madrid or online shop, you can buy numerous products made with almonds, including honeys with almonds and other nuts, marzipan from Montoro and nougat.

2. Properties of almonds

The benefits of almonds supported by numerous scientific studies are the following:

a) Cholesterol:

According to scientific literature, almonds contain monounsaturated fatty acids and help to reduce LDL cholesterol, the so-called bad cholesterol.

b) Overweight:

Studies carried out by several Universities guarantee that the consumption of dried fruits, such as almonds reduce the risk of suffering from obesity, since dried fruits satisfy us more than other food with the same calories and we will be longer without being hungry again.

c) Diabetes:

The Harward Public School of Health (USA) has found a relationship between the consumption of products containing magnesium and the reduction of the risk of suffering diabetes. Almonds along with other nuts are a rich source of magnesium.

d) Dementia:

U.S. hospital reports state that natural products rich in vitamin E such as almonds delay cognitive decline with age.

e) Hair, skin and nails:

Almonds have a high content of antioxidants and vitamin E. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals that accelerate the aging of our body, including the skin. On the other hand, vitamin E is photoprotective, protecting us against damage not produced by ultraviolet radiation, and anti-inflammatory.

Almonds are a natural source of Vitamin B2, which strengthens nails and hair.

f) Increased physical performance:

The Institute of Sports Medicine of China has shown that consumption of almonds improves physical performance by regulating carbohydrate stores, improving oxygen transport in the blood and metabolism.

g) Bones:

Almonds are a rich source of calcium, so they can be consumed as a substitute for animal milk. Calcium intake is essential especially in children, the elderly and women with menopause, as calcium is involved in bone mineralization and muscle contraction.

h) Intestinal transit:

Almonds are a source of fibre, which favours intestinal transit.

i) Cancer:

Due to the content of antioxidants and vitamins in almonds, their consumption lowers the risk of cancer. In addition, a study carried out on rats was published in the journal Cancer Letters in 2001, showing that the consumption of almonds with skin reduces the amount of tumour cells in the colon.

j). Stress:

Almonds with their content of vitamin E, vitamin B and magnesium protect us from the negative effects of stress on our body.

3. Raw or roasted almonds

In most cases where we subject a product to high temperatures, we will remove vitamins and other beneficial compounds from it. Therefore, it is always advisable to take the products as naturally as possible.

Photo 1: Honey with nuts

4. How many almonds a day should we take?

The Heart Foundation recommends consuming 7 to 8 almonds a day. However, one should not become obsessed if as 7 or 14 or 3. What we should pay attention to is eating a balanced and healthy diet during all meals and avoiding industrial food. It is of little use to be rigorous with almonds, if we then drink numerous alcoholic beverages every weekend.

At the same time, we recommend to take them raw and with skin, because this way we will obtain all its vitamins, antioxidants and fiber.

One way in which they come out delicious, is by putting them in honey. The honey will take a very rich aroma of almonds and almonds will be more juicy. You can also eat toast, fried in extra virgin olive oil or nougat, although in these latter ways, we lose benefits of almonds.

5. Calories of almonds

Almonds have 579 Kcal per 100g. Therefore, it is not the most calorie-dense nut. Pine nuts, for example, have 673 Kcal per 100 g.

Sources:

Properties of almonds. http://infoalimenta.com/