Health Benefits of Soaking Almonds in Water

Almonds are among the earliest cultivated foods in history. Almonds are thought to have originated in China and Central Asia. Explorers brought almonds back with them, and before long almond trees flourished. Almonds, like most nuts, were thought to have too much fat to be a healthy snack.

Almonds had been considered too fatty to be a healthy snack, but research has shown that the nuts actually lower blood cholesterol levels. 90 percent of the fats in almonds are unsaturated, and the nuts are high in protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. Almonds help prevent osteoporosis and they regulate blood pressure. Your gain all the benefits of almonds if you eat it in the right way.

Almonds are difficult to digest because of an enzyme-inhibiting substance in their brown coating. These enzyme inhibitors protect the nut or seed until it has what it needs for growth. Soaking almonds overnight removes these toxic enzyme inhibitors so that the enzymes secreted during digestion can do their job. Also the gluten breaks down, and digestion becomes much easier. Phytic acid, which inhibits absorption of vital minerals, is also reduced after soaking almonds. This helps our body get the benefit of vitality contained within them.

Health Benefits
Memory Improvement: Almonds are known as one of the best brain tonics. It is rich in essential fats and serves to improve memory and intelligence. Eating 4-6 soaked almonds every morning helps enhance your memory. This makes them an essential part of kids' daily diet.

Better Digestion: Soaking almonds in water makes them softer and easier to chew. This means better digestibility, easy absorption and assimilation of nutrition in the nut. You must chew them thoroughly, because big chunks of unchewed nuts are hard on the digestive tract. Moreover, soaking almonds in milk and eating them increases the libido and enhances general sexual performance in cases of frigidity.

Beauty Benefits: As far ask the skin is concerned, almond can be used to great effect in several ways. Almond oil makes the skin smooth and soft, which is why it is often favored for massages. You can prepare a mixture of almond oil, honey, and lemon juice, and apply this as a face pack once a week. Almond oil can also be used for the hair.

Pregnancy: Intake of soaked almonds during the pregnancy period is also known to be quite beneficial. Almonds are highly nutritive and hence a good source of energy for pregnant women. Soaking almonds in water or milk overnight and eating them next morning after making a paste is good for their health. Adding a pinch of saffron to this paste will further add heighten the value of this tasty preparation. Pregnant women must consume this preparation along with a healthy diet everyday as this provides good nourishment for both, mother and baby.

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