Want to grab a snack that can make you feel good but also tastes delicious? How about some almonds? These close to perfect nuts provide a number of benefits and can be enjoyed in many ways.
Let’s explore the question “are almonds healthy?” and find out how you can add them to your diet.
Are Almonds Healthy?
Almonds are very nutritious. They are high in healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Plus they are a great source of fiber and protein.
They contain high amounts of vitamin E, manganese, and magnesium. They also have decent amounts of copper, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and phosphorus.
A one-ounce serving of almonds has 6 grams of protein and 3.5 grams of fiber. It also has 14 grams of fat, 9 of these being monounsaturated fats. Many nutrition labels state almonds have around 160 calories in a serving.
But, your body cannot absorb all of the calories because not all of the fat is accessible to digestive enzymes. A recent study shows that almonds actually have only 129 digestible calories. Learning more about this study can show why they are smart snacks.
Benefits of Almonds
Due to their high levels of antioxidants and vitamin E, almonds can help protect against oxidative stress in your cells. Oxidative stress can lead to inflammation, aging, and diseases like cancer. In addition, vitamin E is linked with lower rates of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Almonds can also help control blood sugar levels. They are low in carbohydrates, but high in magnesium. Many people with type 2 diabetes have a magnesium deficiency.
Fixing this can help lower blood sugar and improve insulin function. It can even improve insulin resistance in people without diabetes.
Higher magnesium intake can also help lower blood pressure levels, reducing your risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
Almonds can help lower your LDL or “bad” cholesterol and prevent it oxidizing and possibly leading to heart disease.
Because they are low in carbohydrates, but high in protein and fiber, you can feel fuller longer when eating almonds. This can help lower your calorie intake and could make weight loss easier.
Ways to Enjoy Almonds
One of the best ways to enjoy almonds is to snack on plain ones. They make a great, nutritious snack. But there are other ways too. You can add almonds to many recipes. They provide great taste and crunch in many dishes.
Other products containing almonds are also available. Almond milk is a great non-dairy milk. It contains many of the benefits of almonds and can be a good addition to vegan and non-vegan diets. You can also make homemade almond butter.
Ground almonds can also be made into almond flour. It also retains the health benefits of almonds but can be used similarly to wheat flour. However, it does not contain gluten. This makes it perfect for people with celiac disease or wheat intolerance.
Add Some Almonds to Your Diet
Almonds are a great source of many important nutrients, so there’s no need to wonder “are almonds healthy?” There are a number of tasty ways to add this amazing food to your diet.
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