The Many Health Benefits of Almonds
Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, the same healthy fats found in olive oil, which have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease. ((http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=20.))
A recent Nurses Health Study has shown researches that substituting nuts for a carbohydrate in an average diet provides a 30% reduction in heart disease risk. Researchers further found that when nuts were substituted for saturated unhealthy fats (meat and dairy fats) the diet provided 45% reduction in heart disease risk.((http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=20.))
The high concentration of the antioxidant vitamin E aids in lowering cholesterol, reducing heart disease risk, as well as lowering LDL.
(LDL is the form of cholesterol that has been linked to atherosclerosis and heart disease).
((http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=20.))
Almonds contain a very important mineral magnesium and potassium.
In just 1 cup of almonds you can reach your daily needed amount of these very important minerals.
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Almonds decrease after-meal rises in blood sugar, while providing amazing antioxidants to scavenge up free radicals.
((http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=20.))
Almonds have a wonderful effect on the skin and complexion, while also aiding in digestion moving the food through the colon reducing the risk of cancer. ((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond.))
Research has recently shown almonds elevating the blood levels of HDL (high density lipoproteins) ,
while lowering LDL levels ( low density lipoproteins) reducing the risk of heart disease.
((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond.))
The British Journal of Nutrition has shown eating almonds reduces the glycemic index (GI) of the meal. The research has shown the more almonds consumed, the lower the meal’s GI and the less the rise in subjects’ blood sugar after eating.
((http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=20.))
Gene Spiller, Ph.D., director of the Health Research and Studies Center in Los Altos, California explains its the combination effect of all the properties in almonds working together. “It’s the fiber, the unsaturated fats, the arginine, the plant sterols and other phytochemicals.
They all work together to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease.”
((http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200103/almonds-get-heart-healthy.))
