Almond Best dry fruits

 

                        Almond /  Badam   ( Prunus dulcis / syn. Prunus amygdalus )

               Almond plant is a deciduous tree with a hardy dormancy  , 3 to 6 meter height tall, native to  around Iran , Central Asia, China  and surrounding Countries . The tree are strikingly beautiful when in flower , they produce fragrant , five petaled , light pink to white flowers from January to early April . The young twigs are green at first , becoming purplish where exposed to sunlight , then grey in their second year . Its leaves are long with a serrated margin and petiole . The fruits of Almond is a drupe , consisting of an outer hull and a hard shell with the seed , which is not a true nut, inside . In India , the two largest almond producing states are Jammu , Kashmir and Himanchal Pradesh . Almond are edible seeds borne within the hard shell of Almond fruits . Almond have light orange -brown color and is a very nutritious nut and extremely healthy and are good for health .  Almond have many benefits due to the presence of protein , fiber , healthy fat , minerals , and vitamins . Micronutrients are another major reason ln Almond  should be part of our healthy diet , it means Almonds are healthiest and well-balanced food .

Others name of Almond – ( Family – Rosaceae ) –

  Local name  ( Badam ) , English ( Almonds ) , Tamil ( Baadaam , Vadhumai ,Vaadumai ) , Malayalam ( Badam ) , Telugu ( Badam ) , Gujrati ( Badama ) , Kannada ( Badami ) ,Bengali ( Badama ) , Oriya ( Desiyobadamo ) , Assamese ( Kath-badam ) , Manipur ( Badam ) ,  Botanical name ( Prunus dulcis ) .

Properties of Almond -

1.     Ayurvedic properties of Almond are ; Rasa / Taste – Madhur / Sweet  , Veerya / Potency – Ushna / slightly hot in nature , Guna / Quality – Snigdha / slimy/ heavy , Vipaka = Madhur / sweet taste after digestion , Karma / propertis / Dosha effect  - Vatahara / reduce vata dosha / Increase pitta dosha / Aphrodisiac /Balya.

2.    Other properties - Almond are rich in powerhouse of nutrients like mono and poly -unsaturated fatty acid , and dietary fibers  with several minerals , vitamins and phytonutrients like calcium , magnesium , thiamine , vitamins  E and B . They may be help in managing diabetes , obesity , cardiovascular disease  and hyperlipidemia .

3.    Rich source of Vitamin E- Almond are rich source  of Vitamin E , this vitamin is a fat soluble Amine . Vitamin E is known to be an antioxidants activities . These Antioxidants fight against disease and prevent several chronic disease. Vitamin E is an antioxidants that helps protects cells from damage caused by free radicals . This vitamin is also promotes and supports skin health and protect the skin and body from damages caused by free radicals .

4.    Improving memories and Brain function -1-  Almonds are rich in nutrients , this helps to boost specific brain function and also boost the functionality of the central nervous system ( CNS ) to a great extent . Almonds are rich in protein , which help to repair brain cells and helps to improve memory. It also loaded with natural vitamin - B6 which promote brain health and natural vitamin- E that slow down ageing of brain cell , and magnesium , healthy fat ,that impact memory ,  improving brain function , support nerve function , improve brain health and potentially mitigate the effects of stress on nervous system  . Almond also may be help to reducing risk of Parkinson and Alzheimer's and preventing amnesia . Almond contain L-Carnitin and Riboflavin that helps in the growth of brain cells. Consuming just 5 to 6 pieces of almond every morning can help boost our brain power .

2- Almonds are rich source of Nutrients Riboflavin and Phenylalanine , they boost up the power of our brain and improve the intelligence of growing kids significantly , thereby benefits the growing children’s . It means Almond improving brain capacity , due to it contain brain enhancing property .

3- Reducing Stress - Almond have a rich source of natural anti-oxidant that can protect against stress. Stress leads to molecule damage that thereby result in inflammation and ageing  .

5.    Control cholesterol and reducing blockage in blood vessels - Almond may be useful in minimize the LDL cholesterol level and raising the HDL level due to its low content of saturated fat and high content of  vitamin E . It also content unsaturated fatty acid , phytosterol , fiber content and other bioactive that may be help to control high cholesterol level . Reducing cholesterol is also due to Almond hot potency and with its Ama reducing activities . It also help to remove blockage from blood vessels by eliminating toxin and preventing accumulation of bad cholesterol .

6.    Controlling high blood pressure – Almonds normalize elevated blood pressure due to presence of Potassium , which plays important role in effective nerve functioning and muscles contraction . Potassium in turn control blood pressure and maintain proper heart functioning . It remain as a defense against atherosclerosis . Presence of Magnesium in Almonds also relaxes blood vessels , along with other like potassium , fiber , healthy fat that contribute to cardiovascular health , and also help in lowering blood pressure .

7.    Improving immune system – Almonds are rich source of Alkali material , which really strengthen our immune systems and turn help in managing our proper health . Almonds contain Vitamin E and Zinc , which can help fight off bacteria and viruses , it improve immunity and speed up recovery from colds.

8.    Controlling diabetes - Generally  who suffer from diabetes have low Magnesium level , Almond play an integral role in stabilizing it . 28 gram almond provide near about 75 mg of Magnesium or between 17 to 23 % of an adult daily requirement. This Magnesium requirement Almond may a more suitable dietary source for our body . Almonds may minimize blood sugar level because they are rich in fiber and healthy fats with low in carbohydrates . Eating Almonds before meals may stimulate the release of stored insulin 30 minutes earlier than eating a high carbohydrates meal .

9.    Healthy eyes - It contain  good amount  of vitamin - E , which is family of fat soluble anti-oxidants . These anti-oxidant  tend to build up in cell membrane in our body , protecting our cells from oxidative damage and damage caused by harmful free radicals  . This vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acid ,may be also protect our eyes and prevent abnormal change to our lens .

10.Improving Hair growth - Lack of magnesium in our body leads to loss of hair . Almond is rich in magnesium and vitamin E , which is essential nutrients for healthy hair . Its  Vitamin E may be help to protect our hair from damage due to oxidative stress ( damage due to free radical ) . Regular intake of Almond helps to control excessive hair fall due to its Vata balancing property .

11.Improving skin quality -  Almond is rich source of Vitamin E , which are unsaturated fats and polyphenols works as excellent skin conditioner and moisturization . It may also help to improving our skin tone and complexion .These Vitamin E or  also called alpha -tocopherols ,which are prevent skin damage caused due to exposure to sunlight and UV rays .

12.Improving digestion  and maintain healthy gut – Soaked Almond has good  potential prebiotic effect . It helps to stimulating the activity of good bacteria and inhibits the growth of any pathogenic bacteria in the digestive system . Soaked Almonds also release the lipid-breaking enzyme ‘ Lipase ‘ , which works on the fat present in the food and ensures a healthy digestive system . Almond also helps to maintaining a healthy gut system and  it improve digestive fire due to its ushna potency . It also help loosen stool and improve constipation due to its snigdha property .

13.How To easily digest - The external layer of Almond , which has a hard texture , make it difficult to digest . However, soaking activate the nutrients in the Almond , makes them more digestible and its enhance their nutrients bio-availability through the degradation of phytic acid ( phytic acid is a nutrients inhibitor ) . The skin of almond nut contain tannins , which prevent the complete absorption of nutrients 

Chemical Properties of Almond –

1      Almond contain powerful phytochemicals such as -Tannins , Flavonoids , Phenolic acid , Lignans , and Stibenes .All these nutrients and phytonutrients  are very useful for our body .

2      The chief protein of Almond is Amandin , which have near about 12% Arginine content .The other active constituents of almonds are Albumin and Amino acids such as, histidine ,lysine , phenylalanine , leucine , valine , tryptophan and cystine .

3      nutritional value of Almond as per 100 gm is  near about are ;  Energy 579 kcal , Carbohydrate 21.5 gm , Fat 49.85 , Water 4% ,and Proteins 21% . The Almond providing a rich source of the B Vitamins Riboflavin and Niacin , Vitamin E, and the essential minerals micronutrients near about with percentage are Calcium ( 20%) , Copper ( 105%) Iron ( 20%) ,potassium( 15%)  , Magnesium( 60%) , Selenium ( 7%) , manganese (90%)  ,Phosphorus( 65%)  ,and Zinc ( 25%) .

4      Vitamins in Almonds are – Thiamin , Riboflavin , Niacin , Pantothenic , B6, Folate , Choline , Betaine , Vitamin A, Lutein with Zeaxanthin , Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherols ) . Fats /  Lipids  - Fatty acid total saturated , total monounsaturated , Total poly unsaturated , Stigmasterol , Beta-sterol .Other constituents – Cyanidin , Epigallocatechin , Eriodyctiol , Naringenin , Quercetin , Genistein ,Coumestrol .

5      The almonds are a good source of Phytosterols ,such as Beta- sterol, Stigmasterol, Campesterol , Sitosterol ,and Campestanol , which are very useful for minimizing bad cholesterol LDL levels in blood ( or reducing intestinal cholesterol absorption which alleviates LDL cholesterol ) , thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease .

6      Almond also contain nutrients such as folic acid , L-arginine , vitamin E & B , which can modulate the vascular function of the circulatory system .

7      Histidine is a amino acid in Almonds , facilitates growth , the creation of blood cells and tissue repair . It also helps to maintain protective covering over nerve cells and used for arthritis , allergic disease , ulcer and anemia .

8      Beta-sitosterol may be help to reduce cholesterol levels and it can also bind to the prostate to help minimize inflammation . Oleic acid is fatty acid , it may be improve heart condition by lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation . Linoleic acid may be also support of health heart ,improve insulin sensitivity and blood pressure.

9      Almond is a  rich source of oil , which contains near about monounsaturated Oleic acid 30% ( an omega -9-fatty acid ) , Linoleic acid 12% ( a polyunsaturated Omega -6 essential fatty acid ) , and 10% saturated fatty acid Palmitic acid and rich amount of Vitamin E . Omega – fatty acid may be help to increase HDL cholesterol  and LDL bad cholesterol level .Omega -6 fatty acid may help to minimize the risk of heart problem , lowering cholesterol level .

10  Almond contain nutrients such as Folic acid ,l-arginine , Vitamin –E, and vitamin B . These nutrients can modulate the vascular function of the circulatory system .These seed can also tone down inflammation and oxidative stress . Therefore , Almond can protect from coronary heart problem , atherosclerosis  and hypertension .

14.Alomond oil has been described as an unsaturated oil ,with oleic acid  being than main fatty acid , with beta sitosterol as the most representative sterol and alpha tocopherol as the major tocopherol . Almond contain high level of vitamin E , which are natural anti-oxidant, such as Tocopherol . High level of free radical can cause oxidative stress , resulting in damage cell , and also can lead to various disease . This vitamin E and anti-oxidant help prevent oxidative damage in the our body .

11  Polyphenols of almond to contribute to almond color , moderate astringency and enhance shelf-life due to anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activity . Almond poly-phenol – especially flavonoids – are amazing free radicals scavengers  .They also have an anti-inflammatory effect on our skin .

12  The bitter Almond oil containing Hydrocyanic  acid is used as anti-spasmodic and sedative . The seed oil also contain myristic , palmitic , stearic , and linoleic acid.

Side effect of Almond -

1.    If Almond consume in excess quantity ,some people may develop , allergies , or nausea ,or vomiting or diarrheas' or itching or increase toxicity in our body  .You may feel uncomfortable and bloating if we eat too many almond due to their high fiber content .

2.    it is better to soak Almond in water over night , next day , peel the skin off , and consume it . Soaking improves its digestibility and increase its nutritive value .

3.    The sweet Almonds are extremely healthy and good for health .Bitter Almond contain a toxin known as glycoside amygdalin , which are very dangerous for our body . So that never consume bitter Almond .

Disclaimer –

         This content about Almond is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be constructed as medical advice . please use  Almond as medicine , consult doctor before use Almonds .