Almonds

There are many different nut varieties, but almonds are one of the most nutritious of all. They are native to the Middle East, but the United States is now the world’s largest producer. Interestingly, almonds are also one of our earliest domesticated foods, with records going back to the bronze age. Almonds are the edible seeds of Prunus dulcis, more commonly called the almond tree. The almonds you can buy in stores usually have the shell removed, revealing the edible nut inside. They are sold either raw or roasted. They are also used to produce products like almond milk, oil, butter, flour, paste, or marzipan.

Health Benefits

Almonds contain antioxidants, vitamin E, protein, and fiber.They're high inmonds may have health benefits, including supporting heart health and reducing blood pressure, among others. Almonds boast an impressive nutrient profile. A 1-ounce (oz), or 28-gram (g), serving of almonds contains (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source): Fiber: 3.5 g Protein: 6 g Fat: 14 g (9 of which are monounsaturated) Vitamin E: 48% of the daily value (DV) Manganese: 27% of the DV Magnesium: 18% of the DV a decent amount of copper, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and phosphorus This is all from a small handful of almonds, which has 164 calories and 6 grams of carbohydrates, which includes 3.5 grams of fiber. Almonds are also high in phytic acid, a substance that binds certain minerals and prevents them from being absorbed by the body. While phytic acid is generally considered a healthy antioxidant, it also slightly reduces the amount of iron, zinc, and calcium your body absorbs from almonds.

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