Health Benefits of Almonds

One of the interesting things about this fruit is that the wild variety of almond is bitter and poisonous. When you chew the seeds, the component, glycoside amygdalin, present in the seed gets converted to the acid hydrogen cyanide, which is very fatal to human beings.

But the domesticated or commercial almonds are devoid of the glycoside amygdalin and thus are safe for consumption. It still remains a mystery as to how the sweet almonds were domesticated from the wild poisonous variety.

* Almonds are very beneficial for brain growth and activity. They are especially great for growing children whose brain is developing as they contain good amounts of manganese and phosphorous.

* Almonds when taken regularly is said to reduce bad cholesterol and increase the level of high density lipoprotein.

* Almonds contain generous amounts of potassium, monounsaturated fats, protein, vitamin E and magnesium making them ideal for heart. They are said to reduce the incidence of heart attack, stroke and other heart related diseases.

* Almonds also contain folic acid which is a great food for pregnant mothers.

* Almond milk, oil etc is good for enhancing skin complexion. A massage with almond oil can make your skin soft, supple and smooth. That is why many face masks, hair conditioners, scrubs contain almond in them.

* Apart from these benefits almonds are also known to reduce blood pressure, diabetes, colon cancer and constipation related problems.