The Truth Behind Almonds
As tiny tots our mama’s always gave us a handful of almonds to eat. But here’s the kicker, why did they always soak and peel them first?
Almonds contain ample amounts of copper, iron, magnesium, calcium, protein, fiber, manganese, riboflavin, phosphorous and quite a few healthy fats as well. They are in fact good for your brain, as they increase brain activity and strengthen the nervous system. But their benefits don’t stop there.
⇒Back to our mothers and why they were right for soaking and peeling those little nuggets! What’s the harm in keeping the peel on I hear you mumble? The answer is ‘tannin’, the brown peel of an almond contains tannin that can keep your body from absorbing the nutrients from the almond itself.
⇒The cool thing about this tannin, is that it is present in the peel of the almond for a reason, it acts as protective shield, protecting the almond seed from any environmental substance that could possibly harm it.
⇒To fully enjoy their impressive nutritional profile and many health benefits, simply soak a handful of almonds in water over night and in the morning, slip the peels right off. It’s really that easy.
Now that you’re ready to get the most out of every serving – Here are some of the most remarkable advantages of eating a handful of soaked almonds on the daily:
Energy Boost: Manganese, copper and Riboflavin in almonds aids in energy production and metabolic rate. When on the go, a handful of almonds can get you through the day without filling you up with calories or fat.
Immune System Support: Almonds are a great source for Alkaline and Vitamin E, known to benefit the strength of the immune system, as well as ward off diseases and various health conditions. This powerful antioxidant found in almonds seeks out damaging free radicals in the body and works on eliminating them, i.e. heart disease and cancer.
Combats Inflammation: Antioxidants in almonds help in managing inflammation, something that is linked to the development of diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, cancer and many other diseases.
Helps prevent birth defects: Pregnant women should snack on almonds in order to considerably minimise the chances of defects in their babies.
Brain Food: Almonds are a source of many nutrients which help in the development of the human brain. They have been linked to a higher intellectual level and an essential food item for growing children. Almonds contain two vital brain nutrients, riboflavin and L-carnitine, that increase brain activity, resulting in new neural pathways and a decreased occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease.
Cardiovascular health: Because of the loads of fiber and monounsaturated fats present, snacking on almonds can help save you from overeating. Including them in your diet helps lower bad cholesterol and keep the blood pressure from rising.
