Almonds health benefits - Part 2

Almonds for skin:

Almonds are rich source of vitamin E which is essential nutrient for healthy skin. Also, they are rich source of monounsaturated fat, and helps in lowering cholesterol level. Selenium, an anti-oxidant mineral is also present in almonds which help in fighting the process of aging. It will also help in decreasing dark circles and sunken eyes.

Soak 4-5 almonds overnight in water. Eat it with the empty stomach or you can create the paste and add it in milk. Its regular intake will leave your skin soft glowing and will decrease the process of aging. Outside application of almond has also nourishing effect on skin and so it is used in so many face packs. To make a paste, add milk to almond powder and use this paste every day for cleansing and nourishing your skin. Regular application of almond improves complexion and decreases fine wrinkles.

Combine almond powder, honey and rose water and apply this honey pack for a healthy glow and fairness. To get rid of ugly dark circles, you can also apply it under your eyes. Add few drops of lemon juice to this pack; it is an excellent remedy to remove blackheads.

Almond benefits of for skin care are well known, and so a massage with almond oil is often suggested for new born babies. In some soaps, almond milk is also added as almonds help in improving the complexion of the skin.

In skin diseases, especially in eczema wild almonds are believed useful. A few leaves of the wild almond are powdered with water and prepared cream is applied to the affected parts. Almonds have also beneficial effect in the treatment of pimples. To treat pimples, the endocarp which is hard cover of the seed, should be ground with water and then applied over the affected parts. In skin inflammation, the external application of almond oil will ease the pain and cool the heat.

Almonds for hair:

Apart from skin, treating hair problems is also an essential part of almond health benefit.

Regular massage of almond oil can help to prevent hair-fall, dandruff, graying and dryness of hair. Also, regular massage with just a few drops of the oil helps prevent dandruff and hair fall. It adds shine to the hair and provides with much required vitamin E. To treat thinning of hair and graying of hair, you can also mix it with gooseberry juice.

Other health benefits of almonds:

Regulates cholesterol:

Regular consumption of almond increases the level of high density lipoproteins (HDL) and decrease the level of low density lipoproteins (LDL) in the body; thereby it effectively controls cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is referred as bad cholesterol.

Good for heart:

Almonds contain mono-saturated fat, protein and potassium which are good for the heart. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and decreases the risk of heart diseases. The presence of magnesium in almonds helps to evade heart attacks. Almonds help to decrease C-reactive protein which causes artery-damaging inflammation.

Regulates blood pressure:

Almonds are good source of potassium which helps to regulates blood pressure. Almonds are very low in sodium which also helps in regulating blood pressure.

Protection against diabetes:

Almonds help in decreasing the rise in sugar and insulin levels after meals. This offers protection from diabetes.

Prevention of cancer:

Almond enhances the movement of food through the colon, thereby preventing colon cancer.

Good in pregnancy:

Almond contains folic acid which helps to decrease the incidence of birth defects in newborn babies.

Reduce weight:

Studies have exposed that almond rich low calorie diet is good for obese people to help in reducing their weight. Unsweetened almond milk helps one to decrease weight. The mono-saturated fat contained in almonds satisfies appetite and thus prevents over-eating.

Boosts energy:

Manganese, copper and riboflavin content of almond helps in energy production.

Prevention of constipation:

Almonds are good source of fiber. Similar to most other fiber rich food, almonds also help in preventing constipation by increasing the movement of food through the colon.