~ General Description of ALMONDS ~
Wonderfully delicious, almonds have long been revered as symbol of wellness and health. The nuts are enriched with many health-benefiting nutrients that are essential for optimum health.
Botanically, they are the fruits from species of tree belonging to the family of Rosaceae,of Genus:Prunus. Scientific name: Prunus dulcis.
Almond tree is a small deciduous tree, native to mineral rich West-Asian mountain ranges that provide optimum environment for their growth. In recent years, it is being cultivated in many regions of the world as an important commercial crop.
( http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/index.html )
Unlike other flowering fruit trees that bear edible fruit, the almond tree’s kernel is the delicious nut found inside the fruit. Almonds develop within a shell that is surrounded by a hull, similar to the fleshy part of a peach. The almond hull protects the nuts from a variety of environmental conditions.
It may come
as a surprise how far back these delightful, little tree nuts go. While their
exact ancestry is unknown, almonds are believed to have originated in China and
Central Asia. Later, they were introduced to the Mediterranean. Today, 80% of
the world’s supply of almonds comes from California.
The US is the
largest market for almonds, with about 30% of the crop sold for domestic use.
About 52% of all almonds produced go into retail products, 20% go to
foodservice applications, and the remaining 28% is used for bulk sales and
snacking. 70% of the almond crop is shipped internationally with Spain,
Germany, Japan, China and India being the leading export markets.
Whether you
roast them, toast them, or chop them, it’s easy to make sure a handful of
almonds make it into your next meal or snack. After all, you can find them
almost anywhere.
When Almond Trees Blossom
Unripen Almonds
Almonds inside the shell, protected by hull
ALMONDS !!! ^^
~ Benefits of ALMONDS ~
A. Study No. 1 :
§ Almond
nuts are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and packed with numerous
health promoting phyto-chemicals; the kind of well-balanced food ensure
protection against diseases and cancers.
§ These
nuts are rich source of energy and nutrients. They are especially, rich in
mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleicand palmitoleic acids that help to lower LDLor
"bad cholesterol" and increase HDL or "good cholesterol." Research
studies suggest that Mediterranean diet, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty
acids helps to prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy
blood lipid profile.
§ The
nuts are an excellent source of vitamin E; contain about 25 g per100 g
(about 170% of RDA). Vitamin E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant,
required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and
skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen free radicals.
§ Almonds
are free ingluten and therefore, are a popular ingredient in the
preparation of gluten free food formulas. Such formula preparations are in fact
healthy alternatives in people with wheat food allergy and celiac disease.
§ These
nuts are packed with many important B-complex groups of vitamins such as
riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. These
vitamins functions as co-factors for enzymes during cellular substrate
metabolism.
§ They
are also rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium,
zinc, and selenium.
§ The
sweet almond oil is obtained from the nuts is an excellent emollient; helps to
keep skin well protected from dryness. It has also been used in cooking, and
as“carrier or base oil” in traditional medicines in aromatherapy, in
pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.
B. Study No. 2:
Amongst the different types of nuts, almonds are a great choice
for keeping your bones healthy - one ounce/30 gram provide 9% of the
recommended amount for calcium and 27% for magnesium.
They are also a good source of zinc and very rich in vitamin E.
Choose plain over roasted for maximum delivery of vitamin E.
In addition to their beneficial effects on lowering cholesterol
and heart disease, almonds may help fight many cancers.
This may be due to the many antioxidants flavonoids as well as amygdalin,
which is better known as laetrile. Of all the different types of nuts, laetrile
is very rich in what's called 'bitter almond', which really is the apricot
kernel.
In an animal study of the effect of almonds on colon cancer,
animal were exposed to colon cancer-causing agent and fed almond meal, almond
oil, whole almonds or a control diet containing no almonds. The animals given whole almonds showed fewer signs of colon
cancer, including fewer rapidly dividing cells.
The almond's high fibre content - just 1/4 cup of almonds contain
4 grams of fibre - may have something to do with it.
C. Study No. 3:
Among the nut family, almonds are one of the
healthiest choices to add to your diet. AskDrSears.com notes that almonds have
14 g of fat per 1-oz. serving, but that 90 percent of that is in the form of
healthy unsaturated fat. Almonds contain about 166 calories per serving, as
well as 5 g of protein and 4 g of fiber. Eating almonds will also supply
several other important nutrients, including zinc, iron and vitamin E. Almonds
also provide L-arginine, which may improve the flexibility of your arteries and
prevent blood clots.
An ounce of almonds provides 35 percent of vitamin E,
according to University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County.
An ounce of almonds is about 20 almonds and provides 160 calories and 6 g of protein.
Almonds may play a significant role in preventing insulin resistance and heart
health, as shown in a 2008 study from Metabolism Journal. Study participants
who supplemented their diet with almonds for one month had significant
improvement in insulin secretion. Researchers also concluded that this may also
provide reason long-term heart health associations with nuts.
D. Study No. 4:
o
Good for brain: Almond
is a source of many nutrients which help in development of the brain. Almond
induces high intellectual level and has been considered as an essential food item for growing children. Many mothers
give almonds soaked in water to their children daily in the morning
(2-3 pieces of soaked almonds are good enough, you can also remove the outer
shell if it causes allergy to you.
o
Regulates cholesterol:
Regular consumption of almonds helps to increase the level of high density
lipoproteins (HDL) and reduce the level of low density lipoproteins (LDL),
thereby effectively controlling cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is called
bad cholesterol.
o
Good for heart:
Mono-saturated fat, protein and potassium contained in almonds are good for the
heart. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and reduces the risk of heart diseases.
The presence of magnesium in almonds helps to avoid heart
attacks. Almonds help reduce C-reactive protein which causes artery-damaging
inflammation. Almond is also a source of folic acid. They therefore help to
reduce the level of homocystein, which causes fatty plaque buildup in arteries.
- Skin
care: The benefits of almond for skin care are well
known, and hence a massage with almond oil is often
recommended for new born babies. Almond milk is also added in some soaps as
almonds help in improving the complexion of the skin.
- Regulates
blood pressure: Potassium present in almond
helps to regulates blood pressure. Almonds are very low in sodium which also helps in containing
blood pressure.
- Prevention
of cancer: Almond
improves the movement of food through the colon, thereby preventing colon cancer.
- Protection
against diabetes:
Almonds also help in reducing the rise in sugar and insulin levels after
meals. This offers protection from diabetes.
- Good in
pregnancy: Almond contains folic acid. Folic acid helps to
reduce the incidence of birth defects in newborn babies.
- Weight
loss: Unsweetened almond milk helps one to reduce
weight. The mono-saturated fat contained in almonds satisfies appetite and
prevents over-eating. Studies have revealed that almond rich low calorie
diet is good for obese people to assist in shedding their weight.
- Prevention
of constipation: Almonds are rich in fibre. Like
most other fibre rich food, almonds also help in preventing constipation.
Make sure you drink good amount of water after eating almonds.
- Boosts
energy: The presence of manganese, copper and Riboflavin helps in energy production.
One
avoids the risk of Alzheimer's disease by consuming almonds. But just like any
other food, even almonds have their cons. They contain oxalates and excessive
oxalates can cause crystallization. So people having kidney or gallbladder
problems should avoid eating almonds.
D. Study No. 4:
Almonds are healthy nuts
loaded with lots of essential nutrients. Almonds eaten raw or fried, tastes
good. It is an ingredient used in various snacks and sweets to enhance its
nutritional value. There are various claims on health benefits of
almonds. It is said almonds are beneficial for proper development of
brain and for improved complexion as well as for healthy hair.
There are various proven
benefits of almonds in our daily life. It is the best natural fat burning food.
Therefore it is used for losing weight naturally as it has good fiber content.
In addition to this, more fiber content helps in proper digestion as well as
increases energy level. We can also find various evidences of almonds health
benefits in maintain cholesterol level. Munching of almonds instead of some
unhealthy snacks helps in reducing excess fat accumulated around your waist.
Another most essential
almonds heath benefit is its tryptophan content which is very good for brain
development. Having almonds will help you in relieving stress and controlling
your mood swings making you feel good. Magnesium content in almonds helps in
reducing risks of cardiac arrests. It increases HDL and helps in reducing LDL
thereby controlling cholesterol level. Therefore it is most recommended for
heart patients. Phosphorus content in almonds helps in developing brain and
muscle tissues. Another most important health benefit of almonds is improvement
of memory. Having 5 to 6 overnight soaked almonds in water or milk every
morning will help in improving memory.
Benefits of almonds are due to loads to vitamin content
in it. Almonds are also rich in folic acid and vitamin B therefore when
consumed during pregnancy it helps to reduce birth defects of fetus. Copper
content helps in proper development of bone and improves nerve functioning.
Almonds function as powerful antioxidants due to its Vitamin E content. It
helps in improving blood circulation and lowering of cholesterol thereby
providing added cardiac protection. Not only this, it helps to stabilize blood
sugar as well. Therefore it can be the best snack for diabetic patients. One of
the other significant health benefits of almonds are due to its laetrile
content which serves as an anti cancer component.
Benefits
of almonds are
also marked as to improve skin and hair texture. Vitamin B contents in almonds
promote healthy growth of hair as well as nails. It also moisturizes skin
therefore it is also used as natural scrub. Almond oil mixed with honey and
lemon juice is used as face mask once in a week to improve skin texture. Almond
oil is also used as skin moisturizer to make the skin glow. Almond oil is also
a good hair conditioner and prevents hair fall, split ends and breakage as it
moisturizes the scalp.
Wild
almonds are found in some places of world which contains glycoside that are
converted into cyanide. To avoid its hazards, these wild almonds are good if
roasted. People usually eat raw almonds and studies have also revealed various
health benefits of almonds when its consumed raw. But, anything in excess
always leads to problem; therefore consuming proper proportion of almonds in
daily diet is advisable.
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