Almonds For Heart Bone Immune Health Part 3

BY DR. ROOPA CHARI, M.D.

Oct 6th, 2013

Almonds are one of the most nutritious of all nuts and have phytochemicals (plant chemicals that benefit human health). vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, fiber and protein! They are a powerhouse for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack.

Almonds Benefit your Heart and Blood Vessels:

Almonds are rich in L-arginine which is an amino acid needed to make a molecule called nitric oxide that helps keep arteries elastic and relaxes or widens blood vessels to help increase blood flow.

Almonds also have protective nutrients which includes calcium and magnesium, vitamin E, folic acid, phosphorus, zinc and fiber for a healthy heart, strong bones and immune system.

Lower Cholesterol:

Studies have shown that that almonds added to a healthy diet had a good effect on blood cholesterol levels.

Almonds and Bone Health:

Almonds contain more magnesium than oatmeal or even spinach and should also be included as part of your plan to build strong bones and teeth since they contain many bone healthy minerals including phosphorus. Believe it or not 20-25 almonds (approximately one ounce) contain as much calcium as 1/4 cup of milk.

Nutrients in Almonds:

One ounce of almonds contains 12 percent of your daily allowance of protein, 35 percent of your daily allowance of vitamin E, and most of the fat in almonds is monounsaturated, also known as the “good” fat. Almonds are one of the best whole food sources of vitamin E, in the form of alpha-tocopherol, which may help prevent cancer.

So be sure to eat your almonds everyday!