Health Benefits of Almonds
Nutritional Value of Almonds
Almonds are packed full of beneficial nutrients and by eating just a handful a day, you can be doing your body a great favor. The health benefits of almonds are unbelievable.
For every one ounce (20 - 25) of almonds there are 170 calories, 6 grams of protein, and 6 grams of carbohydrates. Also, an ounce of almonds includes 3 grams of fiber and only 2 grams of sugar. This does not include the numerous vitamins that almonds are packed with. By adding almonds to your every day diet, every day vitamin nutrient levels can be met without even trying. Not bad for a handful of the delicious nuts.
Healthy Heart Benefits
You can reduce your risk of a heart attack by fifty percent just by eating five servings of almonds a week. Leave a jar on your kitchen counter or on your desk at work. When you feel hungry, grab a few. Almonds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important role in lowering your cholesterol. Not only will almonds lower your LDL “bad” cholesterol, but it will raise your HDL “good” cholesterol as well.
Another healthy heart benefit is the prevention of heart disease. Magnesium helps move the flow of oxygen and nutrients through the body. Almonds have high levels of magnesium, which make them so heart friendly.
Strong Bones
When we think about strong bones, we think, drink milk. But not everyone likes milk. If you eat a handful of almonds a day, it provides as much calcium as a quarter cup of milk. Almonds contain phosphorus, which is protein-rich and is the second most abundant nutrient in the body. Phosphorus helps strengthen bones and teeth and also aids in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Cancer Prevention
Almonds contain Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that has been proven to prevent cancer. Antioxidants are very important for the prevention of cancer because it rids the body of bad toxins. When bad toxins build up in the body, cancer can appear. This is why the fiber in almonds help prevent cancer as well. The fiber in almonds helps the body to digest foods more easily and keep your bowel movements regular and therefore reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Weight Loss
Some of the same elements that contribute to your heart health and cancer prevention, can also help you lose weight. The fiber in almonds helps block fat intake, therefore you will not store fat and this will contribute to weight loss. Your daily calorie intake may be high for the day, but the calories you are taking in are much healthier and contain higher levels of nutrients that your body needs. By replacing your daily snacks with almonds, you can decrease the amount of carbohydrates your body takes in. This will leave your hunger satisfied while you enjoy the health benefits of almonds.
References
Mayo Clinic: Eating Nuts for Health - www.mayoclinic.com/health/nuts