9 Amazing Health Benefits of Almonds (Badam) That You May Not Be Aware Of

You may be aware that Almond or badam, as it is commonly called in India, has many health benefits. But are you sure of the specific benefits of almonds? Read on to know more!

Almonds come from almond trees, known as Prunus Dulcis, in scientific terms. Almonds originated in the Middle East; however, currently, America is the biggest almond producer worldwide.

There are many uses of Almonds. In addition to being a healthy snack to munch on, it can also serve as a great topping on several recipes like your ice cream, kheer (rice pudding), sweets, and more. In this post, we are talking about some amazing facts and badam benefits. Let’s take a look:

Astonishing Facts About Almonds

• The origin of Almonds dates back to 3000 to 2000 BC in Jordan and the Middle East
• Almonds can be stored or refrigerated for over 2 years without getting damaged. The presence of high vitamin E content is the reason behind it
• In India, almonds are regarded as a primary food item to enhance and sharpen memory and brain functions in kids
• Overconsumption of almonds can be the reason for some health conditions like nausea, diarrhea, etc.
• Almonds are not considered a nut; instead, it is viewed as a seed of a fruit

Let us look at the nutritional value of almonds before going into their best benefits.

Nutritional Value of Almonds

The presence of various nutritional components makes almonds highly beneficial. A 100-gram of almond contains the following nutrients:

Nutritional components	Nutrition value of almonds per 100 g
Energy	575 kcal
Fibre	12.2 g
Fat	945 g
Protein	21 g
Phosphorus	484 mg
Potassium	670 mg
Magnesium	268 mg
Calcium	265 mg
Vitamin E	26 mg
Iron	3.5 mg
Omega-3-fatty-acids	6 mg

9 Incredible Health Benefits of Almonds

Here are some excellent benefits of eating almonds that you must know about:

1. Almonds are a storehouse of massive nutrients:

Almonds constitute a very impressive nutrient profile, as seen in the above table. These tree nuts have high levels of healthy monosaturated fats, fiber, protein, and many other significant nutrients.

2. Almonds are full of antioxidants:

The level of antioxidants in almonds is very high, which protects your body’s cells from oxidative stress/damage. The process of oxidizing is termed a significant contributor to diseases and ageing in humans.

3. Almonds have high amounts of E vitamin:

You may not be aware that almonds are known to be the best vitamin E source in the world. Also, vitamin E in ample amounts is linked to various health benefits.

4. Almonds may control your blood sugar levels:

Almonds have a high magnesium content. Magnesium is a mineral that is not obtained from many sources. Consuming high magnesium improves your metabolic syndrome. It also prevents the chances of type 2 diabetes.

5. Magnesium in almonds lowers blood pressure:

The presence of magnesium in almonds also helps in controlling your BP levels. As you know, high BP is the root cause of many ailments like heart disease, strokes, and kidney failure. Also, low magnesium levels in the body are related to high BP levels. Hence, intake of magnesium in the form of almonds is recommended to manage BP.

6. Almonds help in managing cholesterol levels:

It is said that consuming a handful of almonds daily can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol to an extent. This, in a way, reduces the risk of heart disease.

7. Almonds control oxidation of LDL cholesterol:

The role of almonds is not limited to lowering the LDL levels in blood. It even protects LDL from getting oxidized. Oxidation is the process of changing a chemical substance due to the addition of oxygen. If LDL or bad cholesterol gets oxidized, it may develop atherosclerosis.

8. Almonds help control your hunger:

Being high in fiber and protein, almonds enhance the feeling of fullness in your stomach and avoid overeating.     

9. Almonds are termed effective in weight loss:

Almonds and other nuts, with their satiating properties, are included in a diet for effective weight loss. Despite the high calories in almonds, they don’t promote gain in weight.