10 benefits of soaked almonds

Nuts are known to have many benefits as they are a rich source of protein and healthy fats. Eating soaked almonds is known to have better effects on one’s health. However, little do we know what the positive effects really are.

The ‘superfood’ is one of the most nourishing nut available in the market and contains elements like soluble and insoluble fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acid, omega-6 fatty acid, vitamin E, potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and so on.

Raw Almonds vs Soaked Almonds: Soaking the nuts helps eliminate the toxic materials present in its coating and decomposes its gluten content so that we can get the most out of them. The brown peel of almonds contains tannin, which inhibits nutrient absorption. Soaking almonds helps in removing the peel easily, thus releasing the required nutrients.

How to soak? : Soak a handful of almonds in half a cup of water. Cover them and allow them to soak for 8 hours. Drain the water, peel the skin and store in a plastic container. These soaked almonds will last about a week.

Below are the benefits of soaked almonds on skin and hair: Keeps digestion in check: Soaked almonds help improve a person’s digestive system. According to a study, eating raw, soaked almonds helped empty the stomach faster and also made digestion easier.

Healthy heart: According to a study, almonds are potent antioxidant agents that prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. This can help protect the heart and the cardiovascular system from damage and the effects of stress. Those suffering from any form of heart disease should including almonds in the diet.

Monitors ‘bad’ cholesterol : High cholesterol is one of the most common complaints in India. High cholesterol is one factor that leads to a hoard of other diseases including heart disease and even blockages in the arteries. Almonds, being a great tool for lowering levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, can help in increasing the amount of ‘good’ cholesterol in the body.

Lose weight: What is a weight loss regime without soaked almonds? They help to speed up process of weight loss. According to studies, adding almonds to a low-calorie diet aids weight loss because it makes for a quick and smart snack! The monounsaturated fats that are present in almonds curb your appetite and keep you full. They stop you from binge-eating.

For skin: Mashed soaked almonds can be crushed into a paste and applied to the face as a natural moisturiser. For dry skin, some fresh cream or milk with the almonds makes for a great face mask every day. It nourishes and hydrates the skin, thus making it soft, supple and smooth.