Uses of Almonds

1. Healthier Cholesterol Levels

Almonds are great for reducing bad LDL cholesterol while increasing good HDL cholesterol. That’s important because high cholesterol puts you at risk for all sorts of health complications, including heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.

When you substitute almonds for an unhealthy snack like chips or candy, you can reduce your bad cholesterol by up to 10%. The benefit is linked to the vitamin E content within the nutmeat, and the flavonoids contained in the papery skin of the almond. Together, they prevent the development of artery-clogging plaque.

2. Stronger, Shinier Hair

Almonds are uniquely positioned to give you virtually all the vitamins and minerals necessary to improve the condition of your hair. To stimulate growth, almonds have magnesium and zinc. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that reduce oxidative stress and make hair stronger. And finally, the vitamin B thickens strands and imparts a natural shine.

3. Reduced Risk Of Heart Disease

There are many ingredients in almonds that make them a heart smart snack. The monounsaturated fats can help control high cholesterol, for one. But the fiber, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and plant sterols all benefit heart health as well.

Almonds are also a great source of l-arginine, which has been shown to make the artery walls more flexible and thus less likely to develop blood clots that can block blood flow and cause cardiac arrest. To get all of these heart health benefits, be sure to eat the shell as well.

4. Fewer Wrinkles

We all want to prevent premature aging, and almonds can help because of their manganese and vitamin E content. Manganese is a protein that helps to produce collagen.

Collagen is the connective tissue within skin that keeps it tight and smooth. Vitamin E is able to protect against skin damage by absorbing UV radiation from the sun, thereby reducing the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles. It also reduces skin inflammation and eliminates redness.

5. Better Digestion

Almond shells are a great source of prebiotics, which support the growth and multiplication of the good bacteria in our guts. Gut bacteria is responsible for metabolizing nutrients from food and medications. It also protects against intestinal infections and makes vitamin K, important for producing blood-clotting proteins.

Prebiotics feed this important gut bacteria, but beyond that, recent studies indicate that regular consumption of prebiotic foods can improve immune system function and lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

6. Easier Weight Loss

Though almonds contain a lot of fat and calories, they can actually help you shed pounds. Studies show that eating almonds can contribute to a feeling of satiety between meals, which makes it easier to resist unhealthy food cravings. People who eat almonds daily tend to consume fewer carbohydrates over the course of each day.

Participants in a study of almonds and diet reduced their weight and body mass index (BMI) by an average of 18%, compared to only 11% in the group that dieted without almonds. Waist circumference also decreased by 14% in the almond group, but only 9% in the non-almond dieters.

7. Improved Brain Activity

Studies show that getting plenty of vitamin E in your diet can help prevent aging-related cognitive decline, preserve memory, and boost your daily alertness. The magnesium in almonds strengthens the nerves in the brain.

And the protein helps to repair brain cells, thereby improving cognitive function. Keeping your brain healthy throughout life helps to ward of Alzheimer’s disease, and eating almonds can be a big part of that.