AHWW Nuts!
July 26 2012
Did you know that eating almonds can lower you LDL and reduce your risk of heart disease?
It’s true. Did you know that they can also help you lose weight? Yes, true again. Substituting almonds for less healthy foods can have the duel effect of lowering your risk of heart disease and helping you lose weight.
Almonds are incredibly versatile as well. Eaten whole, they’re great as a snack; they’re wonderful in salads and cereals; and great in baked goods and breads. Did I mention they taste wonderful too? Next time you’re reaching for a bag of chips or a chocolate bar as a snack, try a handful of almonds instead, they’ll fill you up, they taste great and they’re good for you!
Here are some facts about almonds:
Almonds are a great source of vitamin E, with 25g providing 70 percent of the recommended daily allowance. They also have good amounts of magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, fiber and are a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat. They contain more calcium than any other nut which makes them great for vegetarians who do not eat any dairy products.
They also contain amygdalin, also known as laetrile or vitamin B17, the anti-cancer nutrient. Almonds also contain several phytochemicals which are thought to contribute to a healthy heart. A handful of almonds a day help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering ‘bad’ blood cholesterol (LDL) by as much as ten percent.
Almonds are high in monounsaturated fat, a key fat found in many Mediterranean diets, and which gives them much greater benefits than simply being cholesterol-lowering. Nearly every research study shows those who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet not only have a lower risk of heart disease and cancer, they also live longer.
For many years almonds were considered ‘fattening’. However, studies have shown that those who ate the most nuts tended to have lower body mass indexes. Although almonds are high in fat and calories, eating them in moderation can actually help with weight loss.
Almonds are high in protein, around 18 percent, and contain virtually no carbohydrates, they are ideal for diabetics, pre-diabetics or anyone with blood sugar issues.
In traditional Chinese medicine, almonds are considered anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and are used as a tonic. They are also known as brain and bone food, probably due to their high calcium content.
Check out MealEasy.com for many interesting recipes and meals using almonds.
