| Fortunately, the delicately flavored and versatile | | | | One serving of almonds (a small handful) is reported |
| almond is available throughout the year to make a | | | | to contain the same amount of these crucial nutrients |
| healthy and tasty addition to both sweet and savory | | | | as a small piece of broccoli. The researchers say just |
| dishes. Although packaged almonds are available year | | | | one ounce of almonds is as healthy as a cup of |
| round, they are the freshest in mid-summer, which is | | | | brewed black or green tea, which many nutritionists |
| when they are at the height of their season. | | | | recommend for its antioxidant effects. |
| Eating a handful of almonds a day as part of a | | | | The presence of powerful nutrients such as proteins, |
| healthful lifestyle may lower "bad" cholesterol levels | | | | dietary fibre, mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) |
| and help reduce risk of heart disease. One of the | | | | and Vitamin E make almonds a rich dietary source for |
| studies presented is a first-of-a-kind analysis of | | | | combating degenerative diseases such as diabetes |
| several existing almond studies. The analysis of the | | | | and heart disease. Almonds are the best source of |
| body of studies as a whole showed resounding | | | | the alpha-tocopherol form of Vitamin E and among |
| results of almonds’ ability to lower total and LDL | | | | the best whole food sources. |
| or "bad" cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart | | | | Almond milk is rich in Vitamin E, a known antioxidant, |
| disease. The study consistently showed that people | | | | and thus, is believed to good for those undergoing |
| who eat roughly one handful of almonds (1 ounce) a | | | | detoxification programs. Almond milk does not contain |
| day may significantly reduce total and LDL cholesterol. | | | | lactose. This makes it easily digestible and the perfect |
| Almonds are packed with protein and help to prevent | | | | alternative for those suffering from |
| diseases such as gallstones, type 1 diabetes, colon | | | | lactose-intolerance. |
| cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, | | | | Almonds are a great cholesterol-lowering food. Nearly |
| atherosclerosis, cholesterol and aid weight loss. They | | | | 70 per cent of the fat in almonds is |
| are a good source of manganese, copper and vitamin | | | | mono-unsaturated, a suggested substitute to |
| B2 which help to fight against the health damaging | | | | saturated fats. This helps reduce cholesterol. |
| free radicals and increase oxygen-based energy | | | | Research shows that almond and almond oil have |
| production which promotes the antioxidant molecule, | | | | similar cholesterol lowering effects. In fact, eating |
| glutathione. | | | | almonds consistently lowers total and LDL cholesterol |
| Adding almonds to your diet may contribute to | | | | respectively by 4 and 5 per cent. This cholesterol |
| greater satiety and mayprevent weight gain. | | | | lowering effect is similar to heart healthy foods such |
| According to researchers at Purdue | | | | as oats and soy. |
| University,preliminary results show that adding nearly | | | | Almonds slow absorption of carbohydrates in the |
| two servings of almonds to one's existing diet had no | | | | body, which may helpmanagement of diabetes. In |
| effect on body weight or percentage of body fat. | | | | addition to lowering cholesterol levels andreducing the |
| The study showed that people who added almonds | | | | risk of coronary heart disease, researchers at the |
| to their diets reduced calories from other food | | | | University ofToronto are finding that eating almonds |
| sources. As a result, individuals did not consume extra | | | | may reduce the impact carbohydrate-rich food has |
| calories or gain weight. | | | | on blood sugar levels. |