Health Benefits Of Almond,Cashew Nuts

Health benefits of Almond 

The almond is among the most useful nuts, both as a food and in many other ways. Almonds are not only tasty and relished all over the world, they are also beneficial to your health in many ways.

1)Eating almonds has always been considered good for the complexion and for the digestive system, and today scientists think that almonds may be good for preventing cancer as well. There is also evidence that almonds help to keep cholesterol levels low.

Full of Healthy Fats and Omega-3

A 1-oz. serving of almonds -- or about 24 almonds -- contains approximately 14 g of fat. Most of this is healthy fat -- monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat, as opposed to saturated fat. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats don't clog the arteries the same way saturated fat does. Instead of collecting in the bloodstream along the artery walls, healthy fats collect the saturated fat and remove it from the bloodstream, lowering low-density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol. Consuming healthy fats also raises your levels of high-density lipoprotein, or good cholesterol, which helps reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Additionally, almonds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which could reduce irregular heart rhythms and prevent a heart attack. Linda Vorvick, MD of the University of Washington School of Medicine recommends getting between 20 and 35 percent of your daily calories from fat and sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, like almonds.

High in Protein

Almonds are packed with lean protein. A 1-oz. serving contains 6 g of protein, but only a negligible amount of saturated fat. In the article "Healthy Diet: End the Guesswork With These Nutrition Guidelines," MayoClinic.com recommends that adults consume between 50 and 175 g of protein per day, and eating almonds is a healthy way to achieve this goal. Almonds are a nutritious option for vegetarians, because adding them to salads, rice, oatmeal and yogurt will increase the protein count of the meal. A high-protein snack, like a handful of almonds, helps curb the appetite with minimal calories. A 1-oz. serving of almonds contains approximately 170 calories per serving

3) As far ask the skin is concerned, almond can be used to great effect in several ways. Almond oil makes the skin smooth and soft, which is why it is often favored for massages. You can prepare a mixture of almond oil, honey, and lemon juice, and apply this as a face pack once a week. Almond oil can also be used for the hair.

4)In addition, almonds themselves can also be used in many home treatments for the skin. You can soak almonds for a few hours, then grind them, and use this paste with milk or rose water as an excellent face scrub

Additional Health Benefits of Almonds:

1.  They reduce heart attack risk.

Those who consume nuts five times a week have about a 50 percent reduction in risk of heart attack according to the Loma Linda School of Public Health.

2.  They lower ‘bad’ cholesterol.

Almonds added to the diet have a favorable effect on blood cholesterol levels, according to a clinical study by Dr. Gene Spiller, Director of the Health Research and Studies Center, Inc.

3.  They protects artery walls from damage.

It was found that the flavonoids in almond skins work in synergy with the vitamin E, thus reducing the risk of heart disease (Research at Tufts University).

4.  Almonds help build strong bones and teeth.The phosphorus in almonds helps make this possible.

5.  They provide healthy fats and aid in weight loss:

• Although nuts are high in fat, frequent nut eaters are thinner on average than those who almost never consume nuts. (Data from the Nurses’ Health Study)
• Those who ate nuts at least two times per week were 31 percent less likely to gain weight than were those who never or seldom ate them in a study involving 8865 adults. (WHFood’s article on almonds)

6.  Almonds lower the rise in blood sugar and insulin after meals.

7.  They help provide good brain function.
Almonds contain riboflavin and L-carnitine, nutrients that boost brain activity and may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

8.  They nourish the nervous system.
According to Ayurveda, almonds help increase high intellectual level and longevity.
9.  They alkalize the body.
Almonds are the only nut and one of the few proteins that are alkaline forming.  When your body is not alkaline enough, you risk osteoporosis, poor immune function, low energy and weight gain.

Health Benefits of Cashew Nuts

Cashew nuts, a richly sweet product of the cashew tree, have gained popularity in North America and Europe not only for their succulent flavor but for health benefits, too. Whether roasted, salted, sugared or covered in chocolate, the cashew nut, often used as a flavorful complement to appetizers, main dishes and deserts, packs a mix of nutrients and minerals not found in many common foods.
Cashew nuts, native to equatorial South America, are actually seeds, found growing on the end of the cashew apple, an edible and nutrient rich South American treat that is too fragile to export to North America or Europe .

Cashews are rich in iron, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium and zinc. They are also good sources of phytochemicals, antioxidants, and protein.

7 health benefits of Cashew Nuts.

Cancer Prevention
Cashews are ripe with proanthocyanidins, a class of flavanols that actually starve tumors and stop cancer cells from dividing. Studies have also shown that cashews can reduce your colon cancer risk. Their high copper content also endows the seed with the power to eliminate free radicals and they are also good sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants that protect us from heart disease and cancer.

Heart Health
Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts and most of it is in the form of oleic acid, the same heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oil. Studies show that oleic acid promotes good cardiovascular health by helping to reduce triglyceride levels, high levels of which are associated with an increased risk for heart disease. Cashews are wonderfully cholesterol free and their high antioxidant content helps lower risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. The magnesium in cashews helps lower blood pressure and helps prevent heart attacks.

Hair and Skin Health

Cashews are rich in the mineral copper. An essential component of many enzymes, copper plays its part in a broad array of processes. One copper-containing enzyme, tyrosinase, converts tyrosine to melanin, which is the pigment that gives hair and skin its color. Without the copper cashews are so abundant in, these enzymes would not be able to do their jobs.

Bone Health

Cashews are particularly rich in magnesium. It's a well-known fact that calcium is necessary for strong bones, but magnesium is as well. Most of the magnesium in the human body is in our bones. Some of it helps lend bones their physical structure, and the remainder is located on the surface of the bone where it is stored for the body to use as it needs. Copper found in cashews is vital for the function of enzymes involved in combining collagen and elastin, providing substance and flexibility in bones and joints.

Good for the Nerves By preventing calcium from rushing into nerve cells and activating them, magnesium keeps our nerves relaxed and thereby our blood vessels and muscles too. Studies have demonstrated that magnesium helps diminish the frequency of migraine attacks, lowers blood pressure and helps prevent heart attacks.

Prevent Gallstones

Data collected on 80,718 women from the Nurses' Health Study demonstrates that women who eat at least an ounce of nuts each week, such as cashews, have a 25% lower risk of developing gallstones.

Weight Loss

People who eat nuts twice a week are much less likely to gain weight than those who rarely eat nuts. Cashew nuts are indeed relatively high in fat, but it is considered "good fat." This is attributable to the ideal fat ratio in the nut, 1:2:1 for saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated, respectively, which is recommended by scientists for tip-top health. Cashew nuts contain less fat than most other popular nuts, including peanuts, pecans, almonds and walnuts. They are dense in energy and high in dietary fiber, making them a very valuable snack for managing weight gain.

 

Dental Health

Research has also shown that chemicals in cashew nuts kill gram positive bacteria, a pervasive mouth affliction that causes tooth decay, acne, tuberculosis and leprosy.

Eating cashew nuts at moderate levels, some say, can eliminate abscessed teeth, though this has not been proven yet by proper clinical trials.

Topical Uses: While the cashew nut is most enjoyed when eaten, it also possesses astringent qualities that are now used in topical creams and gels.

All these are taken from articles from health and benefits website.