If you think that almonds can be eaten only in pleasure and decorating baked goods with them, you are greatly mistaken. It is also incredibly useful, but how? Let's find out together why this nut is considered the most delicious and why it is so highly valued.
The interesting thing is that the tree belongs to the family Pink, but to the genus Drain. Therefore, to consider almonds as a nut is a huge mistake. In fact, this is a bone. Although in the usual sense, it is much easier to call it a nutlet.
Chemical composition and caloric content
When you read the composition and caloric content of this product, you will be very surprised. This is not a nut, but a storehouse of nutrients! But it is worth being cautious with the dosage, as they are quite nourishing, which means they are well saturated and nourished even in small quantities.
The calorie content of almonds is 609 kcal / 100 g. Among them, 18.6 g of proteins, 13 g of carbohydrates and 53.7 g of fats. Including 7 g of dietary fiber, 3.7 g of ash and 4 g of water.
Also included: vitamin A, beta-carotene, a huge group of vitamin B, C, E and PP, niacin. In addition to these, there are potassium, chlorine, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur and sodium. In addition, there is manganese, iron, zinc, iodine, fluorine, selenium and copper.
As well as interchangeable and essential amino acids, digestible carbohydrates, sterols, fatty acids: saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.
The benefits of nuts for the body
By the way, have you ever seen how almond blossoms? It should be planted in his garden at least in order to observe the flowering. It is divinely beautiful! But behind such beauty there is also a lot of good.
Recommend the use of almonds to people with blood diseases, including anemia. Walnut enriches the blood, promotes the formation of hemoglobin. At the same time the product supports the work of the cardiovascular system.
Due to this, the risk of getting a heart attack is reduced, and the vessels become strong, elastic, and they do not accumulate cholesterol plaques.
Vitamin E plays a key role in our health and its content in almonds helps prevent the development of the most terrible diseases - oncological. This important vitamin slows down the aging process throughout the body, contributes to its renewal and regeneration.
This component is actively fighting the radicals, neutralizing their action, because it is considered a powerful antioxidant. And if the whole body moves away from old age, then you should not be afraid of senile diseases either: almonds protect a person from them.
More dwelling on the nervous system, it is worth noting that the product helps in the fight against insomnia, depression, melancholy. It helps relive stress and cope with neurosis, protecting the nervous system as a whole.
Almond has a mild sedative effect, while stimulating the brain, improves concentration and memory. This is also the merit of vitamin E along with phosphorus.
Almonds have a beneficial effect on the condition and function of the kidneys and liver. It protects the urogenital system, prevents the formation of stones and removes sand from the kidneys. If you have problems with urination, you should include this nut in your diet.
As for the liver, it stimulates the production of bile, and also accelerates the elimination of alcohol from the body. This is a good natural hangover cure.
Like many natural products, eating almonds has a positive effect on the digestive system. It is a prevention of peptic ulcer, reduces the acidity of gastric juice and helps with heartburn.
Interestingly, this product is an analgesic and helps to cope with pain. This is especially important for those who have frequent cramps.
Although calorie walnut impressive, it still helps to lose weight. It is advisable to eat no more than 30 g per day for those who lose weight in order to speed up the elimination of cholesterol and reduce the amount of lipids. Many of the fatty acids in the composition, simply do not reach the stage of splitting and absorption.
The fetus bears undoubted benefits for children, helping them to develop in a balanced and right way: both physically and mentally. Of course, you should not give it to very young children, because their stomachs are not yet ready for such complex food.
By including a few nuts in your regular menu, you will notice an improvement in the fight against various chronic diseases. And this includes the deterioration of vision. Yes, and eat it just nice.
The beneficial properties of almond for women and men
Almond is useful for both the female body and the male body.
Of course, the nut is in great demand in cosmetology and dietetics, but because women know about it firsthand. He really cares for hair, contributes to their healthy growth. Strengthens the nail plate and cleanses the skin, both when taken orally and in the form of masks, oil and scrub.
Due to the many beneficial substances the product has the ability to maintain the health of the reproductive system. They are very useful for pregnant women: they support not only the mother's body, but also participate in the formation of the placenta and fetal neural tube. And also prevent the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite in the hips, buttocks and abdomen.
As for men, due to the properties of almonds, it is beneficial to influence the urethra, this is the prevention of many diseases of the male reproductive system. It helps to increase potency. In antiquity, almonds were used as an aphrodisiac.
Every second man suffers from baldness, and a nut can also help. It is advisable to make masks of it and apply the resulting gruel to problem areas of the head to stimulate hair growth. Almond oil is used to fight dandruff.
Harm and contraindications to use
Despite the huge benefits, this nut is a strong allergen. Therefore, it is not recommended to give children so as not to provoke an allergic reaction. It can also occur when the product is abused.
A huge dose will not lead to weight loss, but to obesity. The amount of nuts the body simply can not process. It is always necessary to remember that the calorie content of the product is quite high. People with a tendency to obesity should be as attentive as possible.
In the hot season, you should not use cosmetics with the use of fruits, and they are absolutely not suitable for problem skin.
If there are very serious disorders of the nervous system, as well as heart problems, such as heart rhythm dysfunction, you should not use the product. If you have problems with the thyroid gland, you should also give it up.
Nursing mothers and children under two years old eat nuts are not recommended.
For those people whose stomach or intestines are weak, it is necessary to refrain from eating for a while, since almonds are hard for the body to digest.
It is very important to remember that bitter almonds are life threatening. Only about fifty bitter nuts are fatal due to the high content of poison. It is possible to use only stones of sweet varieties and thin-walled ones. The maximum benefit is expressed in raw fruits, because during heat treatment the benefit is lost.
How to eat almonds, the daily rate
For the body is enough just two nuts a day. If for treatment, you can eat 8-10 fruits each day. But it is better not to eat more than thirty nuts a day, so as not to impede the work of the whole organism. For those who are not recommended nutlet, allowable rate of 1-2 doses per month for the minimum dose.
Unripe fruit is dangerous to eat. Experts recommend eating bones with the skin, as it also stores a large number of useful substances. And in order to increase digestibility, it is best to soak the fruits for a couple of hours in cold water. It will also soften them.
Spheres and methods of application
Almond oil is extracted from bitter almonds. Milk can be made from ripe fruits: for this, nuts should be chopped and left for at least an hour in cold water. She will find white color - this is almond milk. It should be drunk in small quantities so as not to cause an upset stomach.
Almonds make amazing desserts. Often, shavings from this bone are sprinkled with finished products on top. The famous French pastry "macaroni" is created on the basis of almond flour. Nuts are added to chocolates as a whole, and in crushed form.
In addition, the product is added when creating various alcoholic beverages. It is a thickener when cooking sauces, soups, goulash. Traditionally added to the famous marzipan and nougat.
Selection and storage rules
Experts recommend buying unrefined almonds, that is, directly in the shell. It is very easy to chop it, which means that the nut will be as fresh as possible. But if you do not have the opportunity to buy "dressed" almonds, we recommend buying it in a package, not by weight. In the second case, it is influenced by external factors that ultimately spoil the quality of the product.
Judging by the fact that we advise you to buy the most closed nuts, then you need to store them in the same way. This should be an airtight container like a container or jar. It is advisable that they stand in a cool and poorly lit place. If stored improperly, almonds will become bitter.
Almond is a gift of nature, but you have to manage it wisely. This principle will allow you to get the maximum benefit from this product, enjoying its taste and avoiding negative consequences. The most important of which is a strong allergic reaction. Everything is good in moderation!
There is more interesting information about almonds in the following video.
