Almonds are considered a superfood due to their high protein content and their numerous health benefits. Almonds are also loaded with fiber, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamine, folate, and manganese. These nutritious nuts have been connected to lowering the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s Disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, and more. If you’re looking for an alternative snack that is full of antioxidants, try almonds!
Almond trees (Prunus dulcis) are cultivated worldwide and produce almonds, which are eaten fresh or dried. Almonds have been consumed since antiquity; however, their cultivation started in Europe in the 15th century. Nowadays, almonds are grown primarily in California, Spain, Italy, France, Morocco, Turkey, Iran, Greece, and China.
The cultivation of almonds starts with planting seedlings on the ground at approximately two years old. After about five years, the tree reaches its maximum height. Trees are pruned every year to encourage growth, and some trees are trained to grow vertically.
There are various types of almonds in the world. According to botanical classification, they belong to the genus Prunus, subgenus Dulsa, section Amygdalus. There are three species: P. dulcis, P. incisa, and P. amygdaliformis. P. dulcifolia, P. laurina, and P. orientalis are synonyms of P. dulcissima.
Almond oil
Almond oil has been getting a lot of popularity since it was introduced to the market. A few years back, almond oil was considered the king of oils, but now its popularity has reached sky-high levels. Almond oil has become popular due both to its delicious taste and its many amazing health benefits. In fact, some even consider using almond oil as an alternative medicine. So today we will talk about the different types of almond oil you can find and the health benefits of consuming them regularly.
There are two types of almond oil available in the market – raw and refined. Raw almond oil contains enzymes, vitamins, and antioxidants that help boost our immune system, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and fight cancer. On the other hand, refined almond oil usually comes packed with trans fats and other unhealthy additives that could cause damage to our body. So if you want to use almond oil for cooking purposes, just make sure you get the raw type!
Raw Almond Oil Benefits
Antioxidants: Almonds contain small amounts of vitamin E, beta carotene, and polyphenols (a natural antioxidant) which protect us from free radical damages. These compounds also prevent cancers, heart disease, and degenerative conditions.
Anti-inflammatory property: Many studies have proved that almonds possess anti-inflammatory properties. This helps in reducing pain and swelling caused by arthritis, gout, and tendonitis.
Heart protection: One study showed that almonds may contribute towards lowering bad LDL cholesterol while increasing good HDL cholesterol. So if you suffer from high cholesterol, add almonds to your diet immediately!
Cancer prevention: Another study found out that people who consume almonds daily have fewer risk of developing cancer compared to those who don’t eat nuts.
Weight loss: Eating almonds provides satiety. This means that they fill you up without making you feel heavy. Studies prove that having almonds before meals may help us lose weight.
Raw Almond Oil Side Effects
Despite having so many benefits, eating almonds should never replace regular exercise and healthy eating habits. You need to keep yourself well balanced otherwise, you might experience side effects like nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, headache, bloating, and flatulence.
Refined Almond Oil Benefits
If you’re looking for the refined version of almond oil, I would suggest you start by reading my article on coconut oil first. Coconut oil offers similar health benefits as almond oil, except that it is completely safe and has zero side effects. If you still prefer almond oil over coconut oil, then read my article on olive oil for detailed information on how you can use it to improve your health.
What are the health benefits of papaya?
So which one do you think is better? If you love almonds and wish to try using them for cooking purposes, then go ahead and buy some raw ones. However, if you’ve already tried using almond flour and know how delicious and nutritious it is, then you might consider buying almond oil.
As always, share your thoughts below. Do you use almond oil in your cooking? Which one do you use to cook with? I’d love to hear your opinion on this topic.
Almond oil for face
Almond Oil for Face – Almond oil is widely used for its skin care benefits. It contains Vitamin E, antioxidants, and natural moisturizing factors that help maintain the moisture level of the skin. It helps prevent dryness, wrinkles, and heals damaged skin. Almond oil is considered to be great for healing acne scars, treating pimples, reducing stretch marks, and protecting the skin from sun damage.
Ingredients:
- 100% Pure Almond Oil
Usage:
- Apply almond oil directly on the affected area after washing your face. Use a cotton ball to apply the almond oil. Do not rub in as it may irritate the skin.
Note:
If you want to use almond oil as makeup remover, first cleanse your face with lukewarm water. Then, wash off the leftover makeup using a make-up wipe. Then, gently pat the area with an oily hand towel to remove any remaining dirt and residue. Once finished, apply almond oil on the cleansed skin and wait until it absorbs completely. Then, rinse off the excess oils with lukewarm water and pat the area dry.
Risk of almonds
Almonds cause significant problems regarding biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and desertification.
