Everyone knows that almonds are a delicious nut. But the fact that it is very useful for the body may be unexpected for you. Consider whether almonds are good when almonds are good and when they are bad.
Did you know? The name almonds comes from the name of the goddess Amigdala. This young girl blushed easily, so the almonds during flowering look like a gentle blush on Amigdali’s cheeks.
Chemical composition and nutritional value of almonds
Almond is not only tasty, but also useful. Consider what is contained in almonds.
Important! Almonds, in fact, is not considered a nut, because it is closer to him peach, plum, apricot. And what we call a nut is a bone. Almond fruit has no pulp. Hazel is hidden in a fragile shell, which is covered with a dark green shell. Almond fruits can be sweet and bitter. Sweet use in the food industry, and bitter - in the perfumery.
Almond Contains B vitamins (thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folacin (B9)) and vitamin E. It contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and all trace elements necessary for the human body. The aroma of almonds give essential oils, which are also included in its composition.Almonds are high-calorie foods. Its kernels contain water - 4%, fatty oil - up to 50%, protein - about 21%, carbohydrates - about 22%, vitamins, mucus, coloring matter, essential oil - 0.5%. The energy value per 100 g of the product is 576 kcal (2408 kJ).
Almond properties
Almond is the raw material for producing almond oil and seeds.
Useful properties of almond
Almond has many beneficial properties. It has a positive effect on blood lipids and blood levels of an antioxidant, vitamin E. Almonds are a powerful source of protein and contain vitamins and minerals necessary for the body. It enhances immunity, cleanses the internal organs, strengthens the eyes, a positive effect on all body systems.
It is used for the prevention of cancer and gastrointestinal diseases. Almond is a strong aphrodisiac, it enhances sperm production and improves its quality.
It has a laxative and diuretic effect on the body. Almond shell can be used to make activated carbon.
Harm and contraindications to its use
Like any good product, in some cases it can also cause harm, so the use of almonds must be dosed. Consider why you can not eat a lot of almonds.
First, remember that only sweet almonds are used in food. Secondly, allergy sufferers need to use it carefully. Individual intolerance does not happen often, but it should not be discounted. Thirdly, people suffering from obesity, it is not recommended to use almonds as a high-calorie product.
With care it is necessary to use almonds for people with heart disease.
Should remember that seeds of bitter almond are poisonous because of their glycide content amygdalin. As a result of the decomposition of this chemical, hydrocyanic acid is released, which has a negative effect on the nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.
Did you know? Prussic acid was used by the Nazis during World War II to kill people in concentration camps. Death from it occurs within 5-15 minutes.
Almond intake during pregnancy
Consuming almond nuts during pregnancy, you need to know for sure that they will benefit and will not harm the newborn. Since the almond contains a large amount of folic acid, which contributes to the normal development of the fetus, the usefulness of its use by pregnant women becomes obvious.
Also valuable for the development of the baby is the content of a special protein, which is necessary for the formation of human tissue. If there is a lag in the growth of the fruit, then almonds can be prescribed as a dietary supplement to eliminate this problem.
The content of vitamin E in almonds is very valuable for the future mother's body. If a pregnant woman eats 10-15 kernels of almonds every day, this will provide her body with essential vitamins and trace elements, and the development of the baby will be complete. Also, the use of almonds during pregnancy has a good effect on digestion and helps to cope with insomnia.
Almond oil should be used to prevent stretch marks on the body during pregnancy, as well as for massage for back pain and swelling of the legs.
When consuming almonds in such a crucial period of their life, the expectant mother should know what food is good for only sweet almonds. It should not be forgotten that unripe almonds can lead to food poisoning. Almonds, like any nut, are products that can cause allergies. Therefore, watch the reaction of your body and do not use it in too large portions.
Since this valuable product belongs to high-calorie, pregnant women who are gaining weight too intensively, it is better to abandon the use of almonds. It is also worth refusing to use future mothers who have a frequent heartbeat, kidney disease or gallbladder.
Important! Choosing almonds in the supermarket, you know that it is better to buy it in the shell. Fresh almonds will have a pleasant nutty smell and the same core color. Almonds can be stored in a cool place in a closed dark container or freezer. Due to the presence of essential oils, almonds can become rancid if improperly stored.
Almond application
Almond nut because of its use is widely used in medicine, cosmetology, food and perfume industry. The most widely used almond oil found. It is made by cold pressing almond kernels. With the purpose of treatment is applied as the oil itself, and in conjunction with other therapeutic components.
The use of almond in medicine
The beneficial properties of bitter almonds have been used since ancient times in traditional medicine. For this they took fruits, leaves, root bark and almond seeds.
Fruits of the plant crushed in the form of cough, asthma attacks, pleurisy. Almond Flask taken with poor eyesight. External use was used as an antiseptic and as a wound healing. Seed consumption recommended for anemia, headaches, leg cramps.
Like many oils, almond oil is versatile to use. It is much more effective than olive with a decrease in cholesterol levels. Able to reduce the acidity of the stomach, has a laxative effect, heals wounds, burns, is used for pain in the ears.
Almond oil has analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory and emollient effects. For ulcers and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with high acidity, it is recommended to take almond oil half a spoonful 3 times a day for 3 months.
For the treatment of respiratory organs need to apply 10 drops 3 times a day. The oil has an analgesic effect in sports injuries and sprains. In such cases, apply compresses.
The use of almond in the perfume industry
In addition to the usefulness of almond, its seductive aroma is used in the perfume industry. Essential oil is better suited for this.
You should know that the whole kernel of bitter almond does not smell. After cutting, they acquire a specific flavor due to benzaldehyde. Creating perfume compositions, perfumers add the aroma of almond nut and thus create a special exquisite aristocratic smell.
Almond oil after purification from amygdalin is used for cooking elite varieties of soap.
Did you know? Almonds bred in Western and Central Asia for another 4 thousand years BC. e.
The use of almond in the food industry
Almond nuts widely used for the preparation of sweets and various confectionery desserts, no one doubts their benefits and excellent taste. Roasted Nuts can be used to beer. Dried almonds ranks first in comparison with other nuts in their taste.
Whole roasted almonds is the most expensive and valuable. It is used for making sweets, chocolate bars, as decoration on confectionery products. Very tasty is almond, covered with chocolate icing.
Crushed roasted almonds can be used in the manufacture of cakes, cakes, cookies, as an additive in jams, butter, pastes, ketchups. It is widely used in the dairy industry, adding to the ice cream, cheese mass.
Almond flour used for cooking pastes, as an additive in the icing and dough. This gives the confectionery a great taste and smell of almond nut.
By production of cognac, wines, liqueurs use almond kernel. It improves the color and flavor of drinks.
Almond milk cooked in the north of Spain and called orchata. In France, mixing it with pomerantsevoy water, get a drink called orsada. Almond milk was used to make a delicious blancmange dessert.
The most famous dishes in Europe with the addition of almonds are marzipan and praline. Marzipan is a mixture of ground almond with sugar syrup, and praline - It is ground almonds, roasted in sugar.
The use of almond in cosmetology
The benefits of almond oil are not only great in cooking, almonds are widely used in cosmetology. It is easily absorbed into the skin and mucous membranes, is suitable for any skin, regardless of age and type, and has no contraindications. It is added to cosmetics for the face, hair and body.
Using almond oil, you should know that It is not a skin moisturizer, but contributes to the blocking of moisture. Therefore, it must be applied to wet skin.
For each type of skin oil acts in its own way. It has a regenerating effect on loose and dry skin, a regenerating and moisturizing effect on mature and dry skin, an antiseptic effect on oily skin, a velvety and uniform effect on sensitive and vascular skin. After applying the oil, the skin becomes elastic and wrinkles are smoothed.
Almond oil is an excellent tool for the care of hands, nails, eyelashes, eyebrows and hair. It stimulates their growth and brilliance. It is often used as a makeup remover and for massage.
Almond bitter will help get rid of freckles, age spots, dandruff. An almond mask will help fight baldness.
Almond has a positive effect on the body of men and women and, thanks to its composition, provides us with health, beauty and a wonderful delicacy.
