Almonds have many health benefits

• Almonds are among the earliest cultivated foods in history.
• Almonds are thought to have originated in China and Central Asia.
• Explorers brought almonds back with them, and before long almond trees flourished.
• Almonds, like most nuts, were thought to have too much fat to be a healthy snack.
• But research has debunked that belief as an old myth.
• One study showed that three ounces of almonds a day actually lowered a person's cholesterol by 14 percent.
• Munching on almonds helps people feel satisfied and less inclined to overeat at dinner!
• Ninety percent of the fat in almonds is unsaturated fat, and frequent consumption, as a result, could help lower blood cholesterol levels.
• Of course, since almonds are a plant based food, they contain no cholesterol.
• Almonds are loaded with protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E and other antioxidants and phytochemicals.
• Almonds have been shown to promote good health, especially when they are part of a healthful diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, and low fat whole grain products.
• According to one study, almonds are a well balanced food.
• They contain the right kind of fats-monounsaturated and some polyunsaturated, so they help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the bad cholesterol, while not touching the high-density, or good cholesterol levels.
• The folic acid in almonds is believed to help lower levels of homocystein, the amino acid that is thought to contribute to the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries.
• And studies have shown links between nut (especially almond) consumption and lower risk of cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic illnesses.
• In a nutshell, almonds are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, biotin, riboflavin, niacin and iron.
• Almonds are the most nutritious of all nuts.