The health benefits of raw almonds are becoming more and more well-known. In the world of healthy foods, almonds stand out. Nuts in general are very healthy, and almonds hold their own very well in an impressive array of nuts that include hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, and others. For one thing, they taste amazing! They are quite inexpensive if you buy them in bulk or large quantities from stores like Costco. And you can’t get much simpler than just eating raw nuts from a bag!
Health Benefits
So let’s look at some things that make almonds stand out on the nutritional front.
- Almonds alkalize the body. It’s very important to have an alkaline environment in your body for your overall health. The
body’s natural pH level is slightly alkaline. If the body’s pH level becomes acidic, it can cause significant health issues. Enzymes function better in an alkaline environment. Inflammation is reduced in an alkaline environment. The immune system functions better, energy levels are increased, bone density is strengthened, and there is some thought that an alkaline environment works to help prevent cancer, since an alkaline environment may create conditions less favorable for the development of cancer cells! Many processed foods and unhealthy diets lead to an acidic pH in the body. Almonds work to counteract that, as they are alkaline-forming, and promote a balanced internal environment. - Almonds enhance nutrient absorption. Almonds contain enzymes that help break down food in the digestive tract, improving nutrient absorption. These enzymes can enhance the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients from other foods you consume, ensuring that your body gets the maximum benefit from the nutrients in your diet.
- Almonds benefit your skin. The nutrients in raw almonds can do wonders for your skin. Almonds have vitamin E in abundance, and Vitamin E is one of your skin’s great friends. It helps maintain skin elasticity, prevents premature aging, and protects the skin from UV damage. Almonds also contain antioxidants that combat free radicals. This reduces skin inflammation and helps to promote a healthy, radiant skin complexion.
- Raw Almonds contain lots of nutrients. Raw almonds are densely packed with vital nutrients. A mere handful provides a significant portion of your daily requirements for essential vitamins and minerals. As already mentioned, they are an exceptionally excellent source of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from oxidative stress. Almonds also contain important minerals such as magnesium. Magnesium is essential for muscle function and bone health. Almonds also contain copper, which supports the production of red blood cells.
- Almonds support brain health. They are a “brain food!” Vitamin E in almonds, as an antioxidant, can reduce oxidative stress and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The riboflavin and l-carnitine in almonds are nutrients that boost brain activity and may help memory and cognitive function.
- Almonds support digestive health. Raw almonds are a good source of dietary fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive system. Fiber adds bulk to stool, which prevents constipation and promotes regular bowel movements. A healthy digestive system is of the utmost importance for nutrient absorption and overall well-being.
- Almonds help regulate blood sugar. Almonds have a very low glycemic index. That means they have a very low impact on blood sugar levels. This is especially significant for people who either have diabetes or are susceptible to diabetes. Almonds have a combination of fiber, healthy fat, and protein. This helps prevent spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels.
- Almonds are great for weight management. Why, you might ask? They are calorie-dense, that is true; but the combination of fiber, healthy fat, and protein helps you feel full after you eat almonds – and that is great to help reduce calorie intake. Almonds also contain monounsaturated fats, which boost metabolism, and help the body burn fat more efficiently. Using almonds as a snack can help curb hunger pangs and prevent unhealthy snacking.
- Almonds are great for heart health. And, as a last point, almonds are great for heart health. The monounsaturated fats in almonds can help to lower “bad” cholesterol levels. There have been studies that have shown that regularly eating almonds can lower the risk of heart disease by improving lipid profiles and reducing inflammation in the body. (“Improving lipid profiles” means improving positive changes in the levels of cholesterol and fats in the bloodstream – just in case this term isn’t part of your daily vocabulary.) The high levels of antioxidants in almonds also contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system.
Pure Simplicity
It’s just as simple as eating a handful of raw nuts! No cooking, no preparation. No muss. No fuss. Or…they are also very versatile and can be added to a host of foods. Their mild nutty flavor goes well with just about anything, sweet or savory. Add to cereal, add to baking, add to desserts. It’s a very simple way to just throw in nutrition! Of course, you may not want the whole nut, sliced or ground might be more useful when you’re adding almonds to foods, but you get the idea.
I’ll throw this in here: they do contain a lot of calories, so if you “pig out,” you might put on a few pounds. Just saying!
Budget-Friendly
Considering that 80% of all the almonds in the world come from California, personally, I’m amazed that they are as inexpensive as they are. A large two-kilogram bag (4.4 lbs) sells in Costco for really not all that much – and there’s a lot of eating in a two-kilogram bag, I can tell you! And when you consider “bang for the buck,” it’s value for dollars spent, for sure.
Conclusion
So, there’s little doubt that almonds fit very well within the scope of the very simple, healthy, and budget-friendly theme of this blog. They contain lots of nutrients with both short and long-term benefits to health, you couldn’t get it much simpler and easier than eating raw nuts (unless you have to crack them out of the shell!) and you do indeed get a lot of nutritional value for dollars.
If you have experienced personal health benefits from eating almonds, or have any other comments on this post, feel free to share in the comments section below.
