Almonds belong to the group of nuts, or so we often think. We also vaguely know that almonds are among the healthiest nuts, but to what extent and why? Usually it remains a gray area there. What about almonds and the fact that nuts are fat, because that is not good for humans? In short, how healthy are almonds?
The healthy almond
Nuts are healthy, but nuts are also fat and yet the almond is a nut that you can eat regularly. What’s that actually like? With absolutely everything you eat, no matter how healthy, everything in moderation is a truism. Too much is never good, not even with nuts. When we talk about a healthy daily amount, we are talking about one handful per day. A hand doesn’t make much difference from person to person, even with larger hands. Assume about 20 to 25 pieces per day.
Origin
The almond actually belongs to the seeds, a seed of the almond tree. Actually, the almond is not a nut at all. The outside of the kernel of this almond tree can be cracked and then the almond as we know it emerges.
The almond falls within the same family as apricots and peaches, for example. The almond mainly comes from the Western United States and although the almond is a self-pollinator, the bee is used on a large scale to stimulate the process.
The almond as a superfood, what does it all yield?
Then why the almond? This has to do with the high levels of vitamin E and manganese in the almond. Furthermore, the almond has a lot of potassium and little sodium and the amount of saturated fats in almonds is very small (approx. 10%). All this has a good effect on:
- the skin
- the muscles
- Red blood cells
- the heart
Almonds also contain good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) and thus reduce bad cholesterol. Studies show that if you take the aforementioned handful daily, your cholesterol can drop by 4%.
A fiber-rich diet contributes to protection against cancers of the esophagus and small and large intestine. It goes without saying that it is also good for all kinds of digestive and bowel problems. Furthermore, it gives a feeling of fullness and there is a greater chance that you will not eat more than your body needs.
Research has now also been conducted into the almond versus diabetes and the results are good. Glucose tolerance decreases substantially, recent research shows.
Almond in different “rolls”
How do you structurally incorporate almonds into your diet:
- Of course you can always just take a handful of almonds, but almonds are very tasty in different ways. If you already eat a nut like this, combine it with a piece of cheese, for example. A nice combination.
- The almond can also be used in cakes/pastries. It gives it a slightly fuller taste.
- Delicious as a “bite” in a fresh salad, which is not bad either. Complete the salad with, for example, Parma ham and old cheese to unite all the flavors in the salad.
- You can also eat almonds during your smoothie. Break this up until it becomes whole with the rest of your fruits and any vegetables.
Almonds not for eating
In addition to consuming the almond, the almond is also processed into oil. There are people who swear by almond oil as a body cream and it is certainly often used in baby oil. We are talking about sweet almond oil. Bitter almond oil is an essential oil and is used much less.
Finally
The almond is healthy, we can say that without a doubt. The almond can be used in various ways and that makes it a multifunctional nut (or actually seed) with an excellent taste. Obviously eaten in appropriate quantities, it is absolutely good to include almonds in the diet.
