Health Benefits of Almonds

The health benefits of almonds might not be overly apparent, or a priority for those looking to increase their overall health and well-being due to its high fat content and calorie density. However, it is quickly being acknowledged that the properties of almonds allow it to contribute to a number of positive health benefits for individuals. In particular, raw almonds contain a number of these positive attributes, but unshelled and shelled almonds are also recognized as impressive health foods. If you are buying almonds, you should be aware that refrigerating or freezing your almonds will significantly increase their shelf-life. With respect to refrigeration, doing so could keep almonds edible for several months, while freezing them could allow them to keep for up to a year. With that said, lets take a look at the health benefits of almonds.

The health benefits of almonds include a reduction of heart disease of up to 30%. Being rich in monounsaturated fats, almonds are an excellent option for individuals looking to improve their cardiovascular health and keep their heart healthy. Research has shown that almonds are capable of lowering cholesterol, which could increase the risk of heart disease.

Your heart can also be kept healthy through the health benefits of almonds due to the large presence of magnesium and potassium in almonds. Low levels of magnesium have been shown to correlate with increased risks of heart attack. This is due to the fact that magnesium allows for arteries to be less restricted and for blood flow to improve significantly, causing necessary nutrients and oxygen to be provided to areas of our body. Low levels of potassium have been demonstrated in studies to create an increased risk of high blood pressure.

The important health benefits of almonds related to our hearts and cardiovascular health also includes positive results for the levels of fat in our blood. Almonds perform superbly at lowering blood LDL cholesterol in our bodies. Due to the phytonutrient flavonoids in almonds, antioxidants in the body increase, resulting in greater resistance of our blood from oxidation effects that contribute to poor cardiovascular health. Therefore, almonds are an excellent choice for those looking to protect themselves from high blood pressure, as well as atherosclerosis. As you can see, the health benefits of almonds are a healthy-heart superfood that can contribute significantly to cardiovascular health and protect from heart disease.

Included in the health benefits of almonds are the positive effects from the presence of manganese, riboflavin and copper in almonds. The minerals manganese and copper are necessary for producing the superoxide dismutase enzyme, which helps to counteract the negative effects of free radicals in our cells, and thus contributing to energy production in our body. The health benefits of almonds stem from the fact that almonds are a significant source of copper and manganese. Similarly, riboflavin in almonds also contributes to the production of energy in our body, particularly helping our heart and muscles.

As you can see, the health benefits of almonds should be recognized for those individuals looking to increase their cardiovascular health and protect themselves from heart disease. To take advantage of the health benefits of almonds, be sure to add them to your diet today.