{"id":6380,"date":"2024-09-10T00:00:06","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T00:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fitolympia.com\/?p=6380"},"modified":"2024-09-10T17:28:42","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T17:28:42","slug":"9-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-almonds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fitolympia.com\/na\/9-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-almonds\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Almonds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Almonds are among the world\u2019s most popular tree nuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They are highly nutritious and rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are 9 health benefits of almonds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Almonds Deliver a Massive Amount of Nutrients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/images-prod.healthline.com\/hlcmsresource\/images\/AN_images\/proven-benefits-of-almonds-1296x728-feature.jpg?w=1155&amp;h=1528\" alt=\"Proven Benefits of Almonds\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Almonds are the edible seeds of&nbsp;<em>Prunus dulcis<\/em>, more commonly called the almond tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They are native to the Middle East, but the US is now the world&#8217;s largest producer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The almonds you can buy in stores usually have the shell removed, revealing the edible nut inside. They are sold either\u00a0raw or roasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They are also used to produce almond milk,\u00a0oil, butter, flour or paste \u2014 also known as marzipan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almonds boast an impressive nutrient profile. A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of almonds contains .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Fiber:<\/strong>&nbsp;3.5 grams<\/li><li><strong>Protein:<\/strong>&nbsp;6 grams<\/li><li><strong>Fat:<\/strong>&nbsp;14 grams (9 of which are monounsaturated)<\/li><li><strong>Vitamin E:<\/strong>&nbsp;37% of the RDI<\/li><li><strong>Manganese:<\/strong>&nbsp;32% of the RDI<\/li><li><strong>Magnesium:<\/strong>&nbsp;20% of the RDI<\/li><li>They also contain a decent amount of copper, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and phosphorus.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is all from a small handful, which supplies only 161 calories and 2.5 grams of digestible carbohydrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to note that your body does not absorb 10\u201315% of their calories because some of the fat is inaccessible to digestive enzymes .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almonds are also high in\u00a0phytic acid, a substance that binds certain minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While phytic acid is generally considered a healthy antioxidant, it also slightly reduces the amount of iron, zinc and calcium you get from almonds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>SUMMARY<\/strong>Almonds are very popular tree nuts. Almonds are high in healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, protein and various important nutrients.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Almonds Are Loaded With Antioxidants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Almonds are a fantastic source of\u00a0antioxidants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress, which can damage molecules in your cells and contribute to inflammation, aging and diseases like cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The powerful antioxidants in almonds are largely concentrated in the brown layer of the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For this reason, blanched almonds \u2014 those with skin removed \u2014 are not the best choice from a health perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A clinical trial in 60 male smokers found that about 3 ounces (84 grams) of almonds per day reduced oxidative stress biomarkers by 23\u201334% over a four-week period .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These findings support those of another study which found that eating almonds with main meals reduced some markers of oxidative damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>SUMMARY<\/strong>Almonds are high in antioxidants that can protect your cells from oxidative damage, a major contributor to aging and disease.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>3. Almonds Are High in Vitamin E<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Vitamin E is a family of fat-soluble antioxidants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These antioxidants tend to build up in cell membranes in your body, protecting your cells from oxidative damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almonds are among the world&#8217;s\u00a0best sources of vitamin E, with just 1 ounce providing 37% of the RDI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several studies have linked higher vitamin E intake with lower rates of heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer&#8217;s disease (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/8479463\" target=\"_blank\">.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>SUMMARY<\/strong>Almonds are among the world&#8217;s best sources of vitamin E. Getting plenty of vitamin E from foods is linked to numerous health benefits.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Almonds Can Assist With Blood Sugar Control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nuts are low in\u00a0carbs\u00a0but high in healthy fats, protein and\u00a0fiber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This makes them a perfect choice for people with diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another boon of almonds is their remarkably high amount of magnesium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Magnesium is a mineral involved in more than 300 bodily processes, including blood sugar control .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The current RDI for magnesium is 310\u2013420 mg. 2 ounces of almonds provide almost half that amount \u2014 150 mg of this important mineral (<a href=\"http:\/\/nutritiondata.self.com\/facts\/nut-and-seed-products\/3085\/2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, 25\u201338% of people with type 2 diabetes are deficient in magnesium. Correcting this deficiency significantly\u00a0lowers blood sugar levels\u00a0and improves insulin function .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People without diabetes also see major reductions in insulin resistance when supplementing with magnesium .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This indicates that high-magnesium foods such as almonds may help prevent metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, both of which are major health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>SUMMARY<\/strong>Almonds are extremely high in magnesium, a mineral that many people don&#8217;t get enough of. High magnesium intake may offer major improvements for metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Magnesium Also Benefits Blood Pressure Levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The magnesium in almonds may additionally help lower blood pressure levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>High blood pressure is one of the leading drivers of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A\u00a0deficiency in magnesium\u00a0is strongly linked to high blood pressure regardless of whether you are overweight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies show that correcting a magnesium deficiency can lead to major reductions in blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do not meet the dietary recommendations for\u00a0magnesium, adding almonds to your diet could have a huge impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>SUMMARY<\/strong>Low magnesium levels are strongly linked to high blood pressure, indicating that almonds can help control blood pressure.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Almonds Can Lower Cholesterol Levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>High levels of LDL lipoproteins in your blood \u2014 also known as &#8220;bad&#8221; cholesterol \u2014 is a well-known risk factor for heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your diet can have major effects on LDL levels. Some studies have shown almonds to effectively lower LDL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A 16-week study in 65 people with prediabetes found that a diet providing 20% of calories from almonds lowered LDL cholesterol levels by an average of 12.4 mg\/dL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another study found that eating 1.5 ounces (42 grams) of almonds per day lowered LDL cholesterol by 5.3 mg\/dL while maintaining &#8220;good&#8221; HDL cholesterol. Participants also\u00a0lost belly fat\u00a0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>SUMMARY<\/strong>Eating one or two handfuls of almonds per day can lead to mild reductions in \u201cbad\u201d LDL cholesterol, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Almonds Prevent Harmful Oxidation of LDL Cholesterol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Almonds do more than just lower LDL levels in your blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They also protect LDL from oxidation, which is a crucial step in the development of heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almond skin is rich in polyphenol antioxidants, which prevent oxidation of cholesterol in test-tubes and animal studies .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The effect may be even stronger when combined with other antioxidants such as vitamin E.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One human study showed that snacking on almonds for one month lowered oxidized LDL cholesterol levels by 14% .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This should lead to a reduced risk of heart disease over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>SUMMARY<\/strong>\u201cBad\u201d LDL cholesterol can become oxidized, which is a crucial step in the development of heart disease. Snacking on almonds has been shown to significantly reduce oxidized LDL.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Eating Almonds Reduces Hunger, Lowering Your Overall Calorie Intake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Almonds are low in carbs and high in protein and fiber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both protein and fiber are known to increase feelings of fullness. This can help you eat fewer calories .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One four-week study in 137 participants showed that a daily 1.5-ounce (43-gram) serving of almonds significantly reduced hunger and the desire to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Numerous other studies support the hunger-fighting effects of\u00a0nuts\u00a0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>SUMMARY<\/strong> While nuts are low in carbs, they are high in protein and fiber. Studies show that eating almonds and other nuts can increase fullness and help you eat fewer calories.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Almonds May Be Effective For Weight Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nuts contain several nutrients that your body struggles to break down and digest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your body does not absorb about 10\u201315% of the calories in nuts. Additionally, some evidence suggests that eating nuts can boost metabolism slightly<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/18296372\" target=\"_blank\">.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to their satiating properties, nuts are a great addition to an effective weight loss diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quality human research supports this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In one study, a low-calorie diet with 3 ounces (84 grams) of almonds increased weight loss by 62% compared to a diet enriched with complex carbohydrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another study in 100 overweight women found that those consuming almonds lost more weight than those on a nut-free diet. They also showed improvements in waist circumference and other health markers .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite being\u00a0high in fat, almonds are definitely a\u00a0weight-loss-friendly food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almonds and other nuts are very high in calories. As a snack, they should be on the binge eaters&#8217; blacklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>SUMMARY<\/strong> Though almonds are high in calories, eating them doesn\u2019t seem to promote weight gain. Some studies even suggest the opposite, showing that almonds can enhance weight loss.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Almonds contain lots of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamin E.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The health benefits of almonds include lower blood sugar levels, reduced blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. They can also reduce hunger and\u00a0promote weight loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All things considered, almonds are as close to perfect as a food can get.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Almonds are among the world\u2019s most popular tree nuts. They are highly nutritious and rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins 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