Contrary to popular belief, almonds are not nuts. They are the seeds of the Almond tree – Prunus amygdalus.

( pic from www.joyfulbelly.com)

Health benefits:

  • Energy boosting – riboflavin, copper and manganese
  • Lower cholesterol – monounsaturated fats and vitamin E
  • Regulate blood pressure – rich in potassium & magnesium, low in sodium
  • Cardiovascular – monounsaturated fats, vitamin E
  • Antioxidant –  especially when eaten with the skin, which contains more than twenty antioxidant flavanoids
  • Diabetes Help – help lower the rise in blood sugar that takes place after eating – good for diabetics
  • Alkalising effect – keeping your body alkaline reduces the risk of osteoporosis, weight gain, ensures high energy levels, and a strong immune system
  • Nourishing the nervous system – in Ayurveda, almonds are used to increase intellectual acuity and longevity
  • Strong bones and teeth – phosphorus
  • Ripe with Protein
  • Rich in Magnesium
  • Anti-Inflammatory
  • Prevention of constipation – rich in fibre (make sure to drink a good amount of water after eating almonds)
  • Colon cancer prevention – almonds improve the movement of food through the digestive tract
  • Prostate cancer prevention – boron
  • Good in pregnancy – folic acid helps to reduce the incidence of birth defects in newborn babies

Eating almonds on an empty stomach ensures better absorbtion of nutrients.

People with kidney & gallblader issues should avoid eating large amounts of almonds.