Almonds(Badam)

                    Almonds(Badam)                  

The fruit which is come under dry fruit is an almond. Every one hear from elders or some doctors  that  to eat 3-4 almonds every day, it is true because It very nutritious dryfruit with lot of vitamin and minerals.

The almond (Prunus dulcis, syn. Prunus amygdalus) is a species of tree native to Iran and surrounding countries but widely cultivated elsewhere. The almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree.

Biological classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rosaceae
Genus:	Prunus
Subgenus:	Prunus subg. Amygdalus
Species:	P. dulcis

Types of almonds

1. Bitter : These almonds are used for making (almond) oil, which has multiple benefits.

2. Sweet : Sweet almonds are edible in nature.

Properties and benefits of Almond

Properties:

• Taste) – Sweet
• Potency – Hot
• Quality – Slimy), Heavy
• Undergoes swet taste after digestion – Madhura(sweet)

• Effects on Tridosha – Reduces vata dosha but Increase pitta dosha

• Vrsya (Aphrodisiac), Balya (Provide strength)

Benefits

• Vrushya – aphrodisiac, improves vigor
• Vatahara – useful in treating disorders of Vata Dosha imbalance  such as neuralgia, paralysis, constipation, bloating, etc
• Shukrala – improves sperm and semen quantity and quality
• Raktapitta –useful in bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc
Its fruit pulp is balances Vata and Pitta Dosha. It slightly increases Kapha Dosha

nutritional value of almond

• Vitamin : E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, A 

• Minerals : calcium, copper, magnesium, selenium, zinc, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnese and choline(Choline is often not classified as a vitamin, but as a nutrient with an amino acid-like metabolism)

• Almonds contain approximately 49% oils , of which 62% is mono-unsaturated oleic acid (an omega-9 fatty acid), 24% is linoleic acid (a poly unsaturated omega 6 essential fatty acid) 

and 6% is palmitic acid (a saturated fatty acid). A trace of arachidic acid has also been found. 

• Phenolic compounds : flavonols (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, catechin and epicatechin), flavanones (naringenin), anthocyanins (cyanidins 

and delohinidin), procyanidins, and phenolic acids (caffeic acid, ferulic acid, P-coumaric acid and Vanillic acid)

Information about vitamin and minerals which are in large amount

1) Fibres:  improve your bowel movement and digestion

2) Proteins:  repair your muscles and tissues. 

3) Vitamin E: protects body from free radicals act as a antioxidant

                 - It also enhances immune function and prevents clots from forming in heart arteries. 

These antioxidants tend to build up in cell membranes in your body, protecting your cells from oxidative damage.

               - Vitamin E rich substance: Wheat germ oil, Sunflower, safflower, and soybean oil, Sunflower seeds,Peanuts, peanut butter, Beet greens, collard greens, spinach, Pumpkin, Red bell pepper,Asparagus, Mango, Avocado.

4) Manganese: magnesium in almonds  help to decrease blood pressure. Magnesium intake may offer major improvements for metabolic syndrome.

5) Magnesium:  The mineral plays an important role in assisting more than 300 enzymes to carry out various chemical reactions in the body such as building proteins and strong bones, and regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, and muscle and nerve functions. Magnesium also acts an electrical conductor that contracts muscles and makes the heart beat steadily.

          - Magnesium is a key factor in making several parts of the body run smoothly: the heart, bones, muscles, nerves, and others. 

6) biotin(vit. B7): Biotin plays a vital role in assisting enzymes to break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins in food. It also helps to regulate signals sent by cells.

Consumption of almond

soak almonds in water over night, next day, peel the skin off, and consume it on empty stomach. It is best way consume almond.
           -5 almonds per day is a good dose for regular consumption.

It can also be taken in many forms such as almond milk(almond powder mixed with milk and boiled), mixed with many beverage drinks.

Health benefits

 1. They protect the brain:

Then remember that regular consumption of almonds can prevent neurological and cognitive problems.

 It can sharpen your memory, enhance your attention and protects you from diseases like dementia or Alzheimer’s.

2. Skin Care:

The benefits of almonds with regards to skin health are well-known as almond oil massages are often recommended for newborn babies. Almond milk is also added to some soaps, because of their well-established reputation for reducing wrinkles, thereby reversing the signs of aging.

Note:  1) almonds may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood levels of LDL cholesterol.

          - Almonds have been suggested to reduce heart disease risk by lowering total and LDL cholesterol, and exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Plant sterols as found in almonds may interfere with the absorption of cholesterol and bile acid, and the high amount of unsaturated fat in almonds favors an improved lipid profile, especially when this food replaces other foods high in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates.

            2) antioxidants in almonds are largely concentrated in the brown layer skin of the almond.

            3) almond protect LDL(bad cholesterol) from oxidation, which is a crucial step in the development of heart disease. It also reduces the LDL levels.

            4) as almonds are low in carbohydrate and rich in protein and fibers, they helps to reduce hunger(because protein and fibers increase felling of fullness).

            5) almonds also helps to increase immunity.

            6) Adding more magnesium to your diet may lower blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity.

            7) eating almond daily is help to increase good bacteria and reduces the bad(harmful) bacteria in gut.

                       An healthy gut leads to good immunity(because 70% of immunity is present in our gut).

            Another substance which increase good bacteria in gut is youghert.

            8) somehow it also shows some anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

            9) because of high protein and fiber content in almond, it helps to strengthen the muscle and burns fat.

            10) it helps to decrease fat by increasing BMR(basal metabolic rate).

             11) vitamin E antioxidants in almond skins may be able to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV damage and shield you from skin cancer(UV damage causes your skin to appear more wrinkled).

                 Tip : apply almond oil on skin to get protected from UV radiation.

              12) helps to improve eye health.

              13) it increases thinking ability and memory.

              14) oil employed in cooking in Iran, and Turkey. It is also used as “carrier or base oil” in various traditional medicines, in aromatherapy, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

              15) Almonds also contain phytonutrients that support the growth of beneficial gut microbes. 

Ayurvedic use of almond

1) it is very useful to reduce the symptoms of vata, cogh, pitta.a

2) useful to treat weakness, headache.

Refrence : 

1) Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2012 February, Vol-6(1): 130-135

2) https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/almonds/

3) NCBI

4) ANNALS OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

Volume 1 Issue 2 (October, 2010) Page : 147-151

5) Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2018; 6(2): 228-231

6) PUBMED

7) Journal of agriculture and food chemistry