Even MORE Good News Revealed about Health Benefits of Almonds
Almonds are a delicious and nutritious snack. They have been linked to stabilizing blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and even maintaining a healthy weight. Now new research shows that almonds may
Even MORE Good News Revealed about Health Benefits of Almonds
Almonds are a delicious and nutritious snack. They have been linked to stabilizing blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and even maintaining a healthy weight. Now new research shows that almonds may even improve digestive health and immunity!
You already know that almonds are good for you. After all, research has shown that almonds are one of nature’s healthiest foods.
Some of the benefits of almonds include: 1
- Weight control
- Heart health
- Lower cholesterol
- Blood sugar stabilization
- Decreased risk for gallstones
And a new study reveals that almonds have another vitally important health benefit.
Almonds as Prebiotics
Researchers have found that almonds promote the growth of good bacteria,2 making almonds a delicious and effective prebiotic.
Prebiotics stimulate the growth of healthy microflora (beneficial bacteria and yeast) that populate your large intestine.
When these microflora are allowed to flourish, they help keep you healthy and strong.
Prebiotics, like almonds, act as food for the beneficial bacteria that are crucial for your immunity, heart and intestinal health.
Other foods like onions, apples and even raw apple cider vinegar, are all good prebiotics, and now that scientists know almonds have similar prebiotic benefits, you have just one more reason to include these healthy nuts in your diet.
To learn more about prebiotics read Why Prebiotics Are Essential to Your Heart Health and Immune System.
Not only are raw almonds prebiotics, but also they are full of life-giving energy, healthy fats and digestible proteins.
Unfortunately, truly raw almonds are not always easy to come by.
The Almond Board of California oversees the production and distribution of most of the almonds sold in the US and Canada and has recently reported that all almonds (including organic) will undergo pasteurization to decrease the risk of possible salmonella poisoning. Cooked almonds will still be labeled as “raw.”3
(Read more about the dangers of pasteurization in The Pasteurized Foods You Should Consider Avoiding and the Healthy Reasons Why.)
Living, raw, organic almonds are your best option, especially if you want to maximize their prebiotic action. But how can you be sure you’re actually getting real, live, raw almonds?
Here at Body Ecology, we rely on organic, raw almonds from Vital Choice.
Grown in the sunny fields of Italy, these raw almonds are certified organic and kosher from Italy’s most recent harvest.
You can eat your prebiotic, health boosting almonds in a variety of ways:
- Sprinkle almonds slices on your salad
- Blend into homemade almond butter
- Use as a base for delicious desserts
- Make savory nut and seed pates
No matter how you like to use your almonds, be sure you’re maximizing your body’s ability to absorb their nutrients.
Remember it is very important to soak your almonds for 12 hours to remove the enzyme inhibitor in the skin that inhibits proper digestion.
For detailed instructions and more information, read How to Eat- and NOT Eat- Almonds.
If you’re looking for other ways to boost the beneficial bacteria in your intestines, then you need to keep eating prebiotics.
And another way to add prebiotics to your diet is with EcoBloom. EcoBloom is 100% natural powder chicory extract called Fruitafit. Also known as fructooligosaccharides (or FOS), EcoBloom serves as food for beneficial microflora.
EcoBloom is an ideal addition to smoothies and sauces and can be added to starters when you make fermented foods and drinks at home. Choose EcoBloom as a powerful prebiotic to feed your probiotics today!
Add EcoBloom to:
Homemade salad dressings
Fermented foods and drinks
Sauces and gravies
Whether you snack on almonds or add a scoop of EcoBloom to your green smoothies, prebiotics are an essential part of building the bacteria in your gut to keep you healthy and strong.
Mark Almonds, VitalChoice.com. http://www.vitalchoice.com/product/organic-nuts-dried-fruits/organic-nuts/organic-almonds-whole-raw-16-oz
Almonds, WHFoods.org. http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=20#healthbenefits
2 Starling, Shane, “Almonds demonstrate prebiotic potential,” NutraIngredients-USA.com. http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=86246&c=s2eqS8WIMH6ewNysj6V5cg%3D%3D
3 4 Adams, Mike, “Food Scam: Almond Board of California to falsely label pasteurized almonds as ‘raw,'” NwsTarget.com, 5 Apr 2007.