Benefits + History of Almonds

This week’s special product is one that is not only great for the taste, but for the heart. Almonds are considered to be one of the first domesticated trees and evidence dates back to 3000 B.C. of the first almond tree. It is also believed that almonds were prevalent much before this date, and existed about 12,000 years prior to the first sighting. The first almonds were even seen to be found in TutankhamunPharaoh's tomb, in Egypt. Later, the spread of almond trees ranged from locations such as Spain, Morocco, Greece, and Israel.

Today, the Prunus amygdalus almond tree grows two types of almonds: sweet and bitter. The sweet almonds are edible and can later be processed into almond oil. The bitter almonds, on the other hand, are also used for oil but must not be eaten in the raw form due to their prussic acid.

The almond is no stranger to other fruits such as cherries, plums, and peaches. This 430-specie tree is in the Rose family which holds over 3,400 species of flowers. The oil from the almonds was originally used for medicine in the twentieth century, and is still used today for aromatherapy. The bitter almond contains about 50% of the sweet almond and is no longer used because of its deadly acid content if not extracted even in small doses. The use of this kernel oil today remains popular for massage practices and as a substitute for olive oil.

Raw almonds are a great source of healthy fats, fiber and micronutrients to add to any diet. Almonds have four key elements that make them a vital competitor in the nutrition game. First, they improve cholesterol levels. Their polyunsaturated fats help lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) which leads to a decreased risk of heart disease. On the other side, almonds increase levels of HDL-C which can also lead to the decrease in risk of heart disease. Moreover, just by incorporating these nuts into your diet can reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event by 30%.

Almonds keep blood pressure on the down low. With blood pressure being one of the main risk factors of heart disease, almonds come in to save the day. These nuts lower the systolic blood pressure which can improve the ability of your body’s blood vessels to dilate. Incorporating these almonds into your diet can make a change as much as a few mmHg of blood pressure scale over the course of a few weeks.

The vitamin and mineral content in almonds is sky high. Vitamin E is one of the important vitamins which also has an alter form of acting as an antioxidant. Their other vitamin of magnesium plays a major role in lowering insulin levels in the body. Almonds are also a great source of fiber which keeps the digestive system healthy and functioning properly. Fiber also allows you to feel full, which is beneficial because 12-15% of the almond is full of this nutrient.

Some of the other less-nutrient focused benefits of almonds are their ability to moisturize skin, add shine to dull hair, reduce risk of diabetes, and aids a healthy digestion. Their properties of Vitamin A and E are important to the healthy skin, and hair process. The almond oil is one of the most popular elements in shampoos and skincare products which lead to a strong and healthy glow on both the head and face. Turning over from the inside-out health benefits, almonds help reduce the risk of diabetes with their slow absorption of the body ingesting carbohydrates. With just a handful of almonds either before or with your morning cereal, the digestion of carbs into the body slows down which buffers and lowers the risk of developing high blood sugar and diabetes. Lastly, almonds help create a healthy digestive tract and system within your body. Just a few of these almonds can help your gastrointestinal tract moving and prevent constipation. Additionally, they can help promote healthy bacteria in the gut, digest food with ease, and even fight of illness.

Ready to go all-in on the almonds? Our products of raw, Himalayan almonds will make just the difference when it comes to your health and bodily wealth. The fats are a plus, the taste is a must, and the benefits are ones that you can trust. If you are ready to crack into a pack of our Zaica, sweet and fresh almonds then head to our website to discover the nutritional nut that is serving humanity.