Health Benefits of Almonds: A Complete Guide

Health Benefits Explained

The health benefits of almonds are ceaseless! People can eat almonds raw or toasted as a snack or add them to sweet or savoury dishes. They are also available sliced, flaked, slivered, as flour, oil, butter, or almond milk. Moreover, many call almonds a nut, but they are seeds, rather than a true nut with numerous health benefits. Additionally, almond trees may have been one of the earliest trees that people cultivated. In Jordan, archaeologists have found evidence of domesticated almond trees dating back some 5,000 years.

Almonds and cholesterol

Even though almonds are high in fat, it is unsaturated fat. This is where the health benefit lies. This type of fat does not increase the risk of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol. According to these researchers, vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help stop the oxidization process that causes cholesterol to clog the arteries.

Further studies have found similar results when it comes to health benefits. Authors of a 2018 review noted that the nutrients in almonds may help boost or maintain levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. They advised people to consume around 45 grams (g) a day of almonds to protect heart health.

Almonds and Cancer Risk

According to various studies and tests, researchers have found that those who consumed almonds on a regular basis had two to three times lower risk of breast cancer. Therefore, when it comes to cancer risk, almonds seem to form a protective factor for individuals.

Australian Export Markets

Due to the spread of knowledge regarding the health benefits of almonds, fifty countries now buy Australian almonds, with India being Australia’s largest overseas market. Spain, Germany and the USA were also large markets for Australian almonds in 2017 and sales to the Asia Pacific Region increased substantially. The Australian almond industry is positioned to grow strongly over the next five years. The growth
in recent plantings means that the Australian almond industry will remain export-focused.

Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech)