Almond is the king of dry fruits. It contains protein, magnesium, zinc, healthy fats and fiber. Almonds are found in 2000 B.C, in Jordan. Presently America is largest exporter of almonds in the world. Almonds are useful to health and beauty as well. These are eaten raw or roasted. Almonds are found in the form of almond oil, milk, cosmetic products, flour, etc.,infact these are used in many recipes, desserts, ice creams. Almonds popularly known as badam are every one’s favourite nut.
Note: One ounce of almonds contains 1/8th of daily protein.
Health Benefits of Almonds:
1. Almonds Prevents cancer:
According to the research, it is shown that, by consuming walnuts, almonds and peanuts on daily basis, there is a less risk of colon and breasts cancer. Almond contains fiber, which detoxifies body, enables digestive system more efficiently and thus lowers the risk of colon cancer. Almonds also contain phytochemicals, flavonoids and vitamin E, which depresses the functioning of breast cancer cells.
2. Almond Cures Heart Disease:
By consuming almonds on regular basis, the amounts of antioxidants increases in the bloodstream, improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure. Almond contains magnesium and vitamin E, which reduces the risk of heart attack. It also contains folic acid, which reduces homo-cysteine levels and prevents fatty plaque built up in the arteries.
3. Almond Lowers Cholesterol Levels:
It contains monounsaturated and polysaturated fats, which helps in lowering the bad cholesterol and triglycerides. By eating almonds on regular basis, it helps in raising good cholesterol levels. According to research, if almonds are made part of your diet, bad cholesterol levels are lowered by 4.4%.
4. Almonds Reduces Weight Loss:
Almonds contains monounsaturated fats, which prevents hunger and keeps stomach full. Eating a handful of almonds keeps stomach full, satisfies hunger and hence aids in weight loss. The amount of fiber and protein helps in free bowel movement, eliminates toxins from the body and aids in weight loss. According to study, it is seen, for weight loss and obese people, has aided in weight loss. Magnesium regulates sugar levels, which is responsible for digestion in the body. Many dieticians are recommending almond as the snack, which helps in weight loss.
5. Almond Controls Sugar Levels:
By eating 2 ounces of almonds on regular basis, improves insulin sensitivity, glucose, lowers cholesterol and prevents diabetes. It controls and regulates glucose levels. Almond has the ability to reduce the blood spike after having heavy meal.
6. Almond Improves Digestive System:
It contains fiber, which works on constipation and aids on free bowel movement. It helps in removing toxins from the body, facilitates in smooth functioning of the digestive system. After consuming almonds, drink enough water, which leads to free bowl movement
7. Almond Strengthens Teeth and Bone:
Almonds contains calcium and phosphorous, which makes teeth and bones strong, improves bone density, reduces osteoporosis. Almond oil is massaged to new born babies for bone health and bone density.
8. Almonds for Eyes:
Almond contains vitamin E, which works very well on eyes. It helps in preventing the abnormal changes caused in the lens, prevents cataracts, helps in functioning of tiny blood vessels in the eyes.
9. Almonds Works on Memory Power:
Almonds contains vitamin E, riboflavin and L-Carnitine, the effective brain nutrients, which boosts memory power, brain functioning and Alzheimer. It improves the concentration level and is often given soaked almonds to kids from the age of 2.
10. Almonds During Pregnancy:
Pregnant woman needs folic acids, to avoid birth defects and neural tube defects. Neural tube defects, is when the tube is under developed and this can be filled with excess folic acid supplements. Folic acid helps in for both mother and baby development.
Beauty Benefits of Almonds:
11. Glowing Skin:
Almond contains olein glyceride linoleic acid, which acts as a skin moisturizer. Almond oil also contains vitamin E, which moisturizes skin and gives younger looking skin. Almond contains antioxidant which cleanses skin, removes toxins, skin free radicals and gives younger and glowing looking skin.
Almond face pack:
- Take 3 soaked almonds
- Paste it and add 1 tsp of milk and lemon juice
- Mix well and apply on the face.
- You can do this twice a week.
12. Helps From Skin Tan:
Almond contains vitamin E, which acts as a protective layer on the skin and protects skin from skin tan and sun burn. If applied almond milk daily on the skin, skin will be tan free and glowing.
13. Almond Oil as Moisturizer:
Almond oil if applied on the skin, acts as skin moisturizer. It moisturizes skin thoroughly. Almond oil does not have the greasy effect, which makes skin brightening and smooth. Almond oil has to applied daily on the face including eye area, while going to bed, in the upward stroke.
14. Removes Dark Circle and Wrinkles:
Almond oil contains vitamin E oil, which removes dark circles and wrinkles. If massaging almond oil under the eye daily, it removes dark circles. By massaging oil on the skin, makes your skin supple, revitalizes the skin and gives younger looking skin.
15. Treats all Types of Skin Acne:
Acne, white head and black heads can be removed, by proper application of almond oil. The dirt and all the impurities gets stuck inside the skin and does not allow the sebum and oil to come out of the skin. By applying almond oil on the face, it removes the dirt and thus prevents acne, white heads and black heads.
Acne face mask:
- Take 3 soaked almonds and make paste of it
- Take 1 tsp of milk, lemon juice and honey.
- Mix well and apply on the face.
- This can be done twice a week.
16. Almond Treats Dry Skin:
Almond contains vitamin E oil and works excellently on dry skin. If oil is massaged daily on the skin, then one can have beautiful skin
Almond dry skin pack:
- Take 4 soaked almonds
- Add 1 tsp of lemon juice, honey and 1 egg white
- Apply on the face and leave for 30 min and wash off
Hair Benefits of Almonds:
17. Almond Treats Dandruff:
Almond works on the scalp, removes flakes on the scalp, nourishes and gives smooth and silky hair.
Almond dandruff hair pack:
- Take 2 tbsp of almond powder
- Add 1 tsp of fenugreek powder and ½ cup of yogurt
- Apply the pack from the scalp to the hair
- Leave for 1 hr and wash off.
18. Almond Controls Hair Fall:
By regular massage of almond oil to the scalp, controls hair fall. Almond oil contains vitamin D,E calcium and magnesium, which helps in strengthening the hair and helps from hair fall.
19. Almond Oil Hair Massage:
Warm 3 tbsp of almond oil. Massage on the scalp and hair and leave it for 1 hr or before going to bath. Wash off with mild shampoo.
Bottom line:
Take almonds every day, 4-5 in the morning, so as to achieve skin, health and beauty benefits to your body.