{"id":2028,"date":"2018-08-13T02:09:57","date_gmt":"2018-08-13T02:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=2028"},"modified":"2021-05-19T15:33:36","modified_gmt":"2021-05-19T15:33:36","slug":"15-refreshing-benefits-of-almonds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-refreshing-benefits-of-almonds\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Refreshing Benefits of Almonds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Almonds are one of the most popular nuts that you\u2019ll find in the health aisle of your food store: They are one of the most popularly cultivated crops that are native to areas like the Mediterranean \u2013 though they are today cultivated in many parts of the world including in the United States, which produces several thousand tons of the miracle nut every single year. There are plenty of reasons why you should be including almonds in your diet, including the fact that they are filled with vitamins, contain plenty of fibre and contain plenty of the good fats that your diet really needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to live a healthier life, you should start with a healthier diet \u2013 and the almond is one of the healthiest nuts in the nut family. Here are 15 refreshing benefits of almonds \u2013 and 15 great reasons why you should add them to your daily diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Great for Wheat Intolerance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wheat intolerance (also known as celiac disease) is a health condition which affects thousands of people across the United States every year, and people have only recently started to see it as a general food allergen <\/a>\u2013 which means that manufacturers are compelled to list it as an allergen on the food label of any products you buy. You should keep an eye out for \u201cgluten\u201d and \u201cwheat\u201d as an ingredient if you have shown any kind of allergy-like symptoms (like a fever, running nose or red, swollen eyes) after consuming wheat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes almonds great for wheat intolerance? There are plenty of snacks that can be crafted from nut flours instead of the traditional wheat-based flour if you happen to be allergic. While most flours aren\u2019t simply just ground up almond, the base of nut flowers are often macadamia or almond nuts \u2013 and you can get back to baking to your heart\u2019s content without having to worry about your allergies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Good for the Brain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When people are studying or under a lot of pressure at work, their doctors and healthcare practitioners will usually recommend that they consume as much \u201cbrain food\u2019 as you possibly can: This includes foods that are high in omega oils and folic acids<\/a> \u2013 this is usually foods such as meat, fish and some types of beans. You can also find plenty of the good stuff in almonds: They are a rich source of brain-boosting vitamins, minerals and other ingredients that will increase your mental capacity, memory and overall energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almonds are great for your health, and excellent for your brain: Consume them as a simple snack, or get some almond-based butter to incorporate into the rest of your meals. You can, of course, roast your own almonds at home if you prefer \u2013 this way, you can store them for long periods of time and keep only as many of them as you want to consume at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Loaded with Nutritional Value<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almonds <\/a>are a great addition to your healthy diet because they are loaded with nutritional value and can give your body the vital boost that you need when you are on the move. This is why almonds, nuts and so-called \u201ctrail mix\u201d make great snacks for hikers and businessmen alike \u2013 if you are burning a lot of energy throughout your day, then you will need to snack on something healthy periodically as you move through your day to replenish all of the energy that you lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an average one once portion of almonds, it contains approximately 163 calories \u2013 that\u2019s more than you would expect, though still the healthier type of calories, because you\u2019re not taking it in through a sugar-loaded snack: You\u2019re instead consuming something that\u2019s completely healthy, natural and good for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re on a very strict, calorie-limiting diet, then you will want to add healthy, low-calorie options to your diet to compliment what you are already eating \u2013 for example, lower fat yoghurt rather than full fat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Full of Vitamins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people aren\u2019t getting the vitamins that they need through their daily diet; this is why they need to take supplements, powders and a range of other medications to keep up. Your body needs the right mix of essential vitamins <\/a>and minerals in order to function, and if any of these minerals or vitamins aren\u2019t abundant enough in your system (or in your diet) then you can start to feel sluggish, sick or have a severely compromised immune system, which will make you much more prone to pick up infections and viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almonds are a great addition to your diet because they contain plenty of vitamins, including Vitamin E \u2013 which is great for the skin and just as great for optimising your energy levels and your brain power. This, of course, isn\u2019t the only vitamin that almonds contain \u2013 and as far as nuts go, it\u2019s one of the healthiest ones that you\u2019ll get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Contains Plenty of Fibre<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fibre <\/a>is an essential ingredient for your digestive health, and it\u2019s important to get enough fibre in your diet to ensure that your bowel movements are healthy and regular. You get fibre through things like wholegrain bread, seeds and certain types of fibrous vegetables \u2013 and if you don\u2019t have enough fibre in your diet, you\u2019ll almost certainly feel it: It usually manifests in some form of regular digestive upset that can be tracked down to what you ate (or didn\u2019t).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your diet is in need of more fibre, then we\u2019d recommend that you see a professional nutritionist who can make the best recommendations for what you should include in your overall diet; the same is true if you are trying to lose weight and stay healthy at the same time. You can also include some almonds in your diet just a few times per week: An ounce worth contains all the fibre you might need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. It\u2019s Filled with Healthy Fats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people who switch over to going on a diet <\/a>will decide that they need to cut any and all fats out of their diet for good \u2013 but this isn\u2019t how dieting works at all, and they could be doing more harm to their own health than they realize. How does this work? We\u2019ve all been taught that fats are bad and that we should avoid them, but this is only half of the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you\u2019re really trying to avoid is the bad fats: The characteristic oily fats that you know very well already are probably bad for your health. But you can use more of the good fats in your diet. These types of fats can be found in things like avocadoes, fish and almonds. If you consume a moderate amount of the good fats, it\u2019ll keep your digestive system moving, and your brain in good, sharp condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. It\u2019s a Healthy Snack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Snacking has almost become a dirty word to anyone who is following a diet, and everyone on a diet who feels the urge to snack feels like they are somehow cheating on their diet by doing so. This is one of the biggest flaws of most diets, and there\u2019s a much better way to think about it \u2013 even according to a great deal of medical professionals. To snack is a completely normal urge, and it\u2019s something that ensures your energy levels get replenished as you go through your day \u2013 it\u2019s normal for blood sugar<\/a> to drop, and snacking is your body\u2019s way of making sure these energy levels can go right back up where they need to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem with snacking is the type of snack that you choose to go for: Don\u2019t pick fast foods or anything unhealthy that usually comes baked or fried in a foil package. Pick healthy snacks instead. Almonds are a great way to snack without having to feel guilty about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Excellent for Digestive Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A general feeling of illness can generally be traced down to your digestive health: Everything that you consume goes through your stomach<\/a>, and if you aren\u2019t feeling well then you should take a closer look at how healthy your digestive system is and where there could be room for improvement. If you are experiencing any serious symptoms of digestive health problems (like stomach cramps or nausea) then you should make an appointment with your doctor so that the source can be diagnosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget: You can also do plenty for your general digestive health at home before you start to have problems. Add healthy snacks like almonds to your diet: They can keep your digestive system moving and in good health. Also consume plenty of live cultures like yoghurt: This replenishes the healthy flora found in your stomach that dies off over time, and you\u2019ll feel much better in general as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. A Source of Folic Acid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Folic acid is a vital component of the human body, and it\u2019s one of the essential acids that your body simply can\u2019t do without \u2013 but the truth is that most people don\u2019t have nearly enough folic acid in their diet. People are barely getting enough of the vitamins and minerals that they need every day through their food, which is why most people can benefit from taking supplements <\/a>on a daily basis. How do you know you aren\u2019t getting enough folic acid in your diet? Make an appointment with your doctor and ask them if nutritional deficiencies could be the reason for your symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almonds, like plenty of other nuts, can be a great and healthy source of folic acid \u2013 and you should add it to your diet if you would like to stay healthy. Also consider making some other small lifestyle changes at the same time so that you can make a conscious choice to be healthier \u2013 exercise being one of these!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Can Help You Lose Weight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to lose weight<\/a>, then your doctor or personal trainer will likely recommend that you start off by changing your diet to a healthy one \u2013 and they will be able to recommend what your diet should be consisting of. This is different for everyone, and a diet plan which works perfectly for one person might not work so well for another: Customized diet plans can be a huge help, especially if you have specific goals like this in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almonds can help you if you are losing weight: First, they are able to take away the urge to snack that makes most people cheat on their diets: If you just have a few almonds, the urge to snack should subside \u2013 and you should be able to get right back to your diet without having to feel like you cheated in any way. Almonds are also filled with the good fats \u2013 the ones your body needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Great for Circulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almonds have plenty of proven benefits for the lungs<\/a>, heart and circulatory system of the body: These are all things that you should keep a close eye on as you get older, as they are all prone to go backwards with age \u2013 and the only thing you can do to slow it down is to be as healthy as you possibly can as you get older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few things that you can do to improve circulation early on in life: The first is switching to a completely healthy diet. Start off by taking a look at the classic food pyramid: You\u2019ll need more of what makes up the bottom of the food pyramid and considerably less of what takes up the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are having any issues with circulation, you might find that massage is also a great help. A warm bath can also help to get circulation flowing. Persistent issues means you should see a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Great for Lactose Intolerance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lactose intolerance<\/a> is a common food-based allergy which affects thousands of people all over the world, and finding out that you have an allergy to one of the most common food ingredients around can just feel like a kick in the teeth. Most people don\u2019t know what to do when they\u2019re diagnosed with such a common allergy just for the simple fact that they have no idea what to do with their diet once the offending ingredient has been removed from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lactose is such a common ingredient and allergy that there are plenty of alternatives on the market to replace dairy products like milk. For one, you can buy almond milk at most grocery stores \u2013 and it doesn\u2019t cost you much more than regular cow\u2019s milk. If you are lactose intolerant, you might want to consider switching entirely. If you are prone to food allergies, ensure that you don\u2019t have any nut allergies before trying the switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. A Useful Flavour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almonds <\/a>can provide a one-of-a-kind flavour to plenty of dishes \u2013 and they simply wouldn\u2019t be the same if you don\u2019t add almonds. This can include plenty of sweet dishes like almond cookies, but can also include dishes that you\u2019ve never thought of adding almonds to before, such as a stir fry: Yes, it\u2019s just as great as a savoury ingredient. If you\u2019ve never had it in the house before, then you can benefit from adding almonds to plenty of dishes just for the sake of the taste \u2013 and you can experience any of the plenty healthy benefits that we\u2019ve talked about in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can even add some chopped almonds to plenty of salads to add some of the healthy fats to your diet: If you want, you can even add some almond oil to your salad as a dressing instead. For more ideas, just look up \u201calmond recipes\u201d on the internet and start cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Great for the Skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to keep your skin in great condition and looking young and healthy even as you get older? It starts with taking care of your skin. Almonds are a great way to do this; just by including almonds in your diet a few times per week, you are helping your skin a great deal \u2013 they contain plenty of Vitamin E<\/a>, essential for your skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of other things you can do to keep your skin in great condition: The first thing that most doctors and dermatologists can agree on is the fact that you should stay hydrated to keep your skin in excellent condition and looking healthy \u2013 drink plenty of water and ensure that you keep around hydrating skin creams. If you have very sensitive skin, then you should be careful not to wash your skin with much more than simple soap and water \u2013 anything else might irritate your skin and cause blackheads and acne breakouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Replacement for Sugar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you find that you are constantly having cravings for sugar and sugary snacks, you\u2019ll find that almonds make a great natural replacement for this craving that you have for sugar<\/a>; sometimes you\u2019re really craving the energy boost that you can get from sugar (though the sugar rush is temporary and usually unhealthy) and not just the sugar itself: Almonds are a great way to still get some sugar into your diet when you feel that you are in need of a bit of a boost without having to super-load your diet on sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximately an ounce of raw almonds can be expected to contain just around 5.6 grams of natural sugars: That\u2019s natural, completely unprocessed \u2013 and really, really good for your health in the right amounts. When you feel like some sugar, just have some almonds as a snack \u2013 or mix them into one of your favourite recipes and drop the recipe\u2019s sugar content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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