Benefits of Almond
Deliver a Massive Amount of Nutrient
Almonds are the edible seeds of Prunus dulcis, more commonly called the almond tree. They are native to the Middle East, but the US is now the world’s largest producer. The almonds you can buy in stores usually have the shell removed, revealing the edible nut inside. They are sold either raw or roasted.
They are also used to produce almond milk, oil, butter, flour or paste — also known as marzipan. Almonds boast an impressive nutrient profile. A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of almonds contains :
- Fibre: 3.5 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Fat: 14 grams (9 of which are monounsaturated)
- Vitamin E: 37% of the RDI
- Manganese: 32% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 20% of the RDI
- They also contain a decent amount of copper, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and phosphorus.
This is all from a small handful, which supplies only 161 calories and 2.5 grams of digestible carbohydrates. It is important to note that your body does not absorb 10–15% of their calories because some of the fat is inaccessible to digestive enzymes.
Almonds are also high in phytic acid, a substance that binds certain minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.
Assist with Blood Sugar control
Nuts are low in carbs but high in healthy fats, protein and fibre. This makes them a perfect choice for people with diabetes. Another boon of almonds is their remarkably high amount of magnesium.
Magnesium is a mineral involved in more than 300 bodily processes, including blood sugar control. The current RDI for magnesium is 310–420 mg. 2 ounces of almonds provide almost half that amount — 150 mg of this important mineral.
Interestingly, 25–38% of people with type 2 diabetes are deficient in magnesium. Correcting this deficiency significantly lowers blood sugar levels and improves insulin function. People without diabetes also see major reductions in insulin resistance when supplementing with magnesium.
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.
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