The Many Health Benefits of Almonds

Do you ever get tired and sluggish in the afternoon? Three o'clock rolls around, and I for one am struggling to keep my eyes open. One of the snacks I turn to in this situation is a small handful of almonds. Almonds are probably my favorite nut. Sometimes, I'll even opt for cereal that has almonds in it. In any case, I never go wrong with the almond. The almond provides energy, this is true, but this little nut provides so much more. The benefits of almonds range from regulating blood pressure to preventing birth defects.

Almonds For Blood Pressure 

Almonds can help to lower and regulate blood pressure. Nuts are frequently high in sodium, which is a big factor in high blood pressure. Almonds, however, are low in sodium. One quarter of a cup contains less that one milligram of sodium. They are also high in potassium, which is a nutrient that helps to lower and regulate a person's blood pressure.

Boost Your Brain Power With Almonds

This super food contains a chemical called phenylalanine. This chemical helps with the development of cognitive functions. Almonds are said to be able to keep the mind sharp as we age, lessening the chances of dementia. Almonds Can Help You Lose Weight Nuts often are misunderstood. They're labeled as a high calorie and high fat food. It is true, that almonds are a bit high in calories, but they also pack quite the nutritional punch. Typically, a serving size of almonds is a quarter cup of whole nuts. This doesn't seem like a lot, but it will leave you feeling full and satisfied. A quarter of a cup contains about 200 calories, 4 grams of fiber, and 17 grams of fat. Eleven of those fat grams are heart healthy mono-saturated fats. This amount of almonds also contains 7 grams of protein, which will keep you energized for exercise or other daily activities.

Almonds Can Ward Off Birth Defects 

An essential nutrient that every pregnant woman needs is folic acid. With a low level of folic acid, there's a greater risk that the unborn baby will develop a birth defect. Folic acid is necessary for the formation of tissue and the growth of cells. A few of the birth defects that can occur due to a lack of folic acid include anencephaly and spina bifida. In both of these defects, the neural tube is partially missing or hasn't formed properly. When proper amounts of folic acid are consumed during pregnancy, babies are less likely to be born with these neural tube defects.

Additional Health Benefits

Other benefits that the almond can provide include the following:

1. They can aid in constipation
2. They have antioxidant properties
3. They have anti-inflammatory properties
4. They have anti-spasmodic properties
5. They can increase blood flow to major organs

The almond is an amazing nut. You'll gain the most benefits by eating the whole almond including the skin. Almonds can be added into your daily diet very easily. Sprinkle a handful of these nuts onto your dinner salad, or even blend them into a smoothie to give your fruit drink an extra boost of protein.