Did you know that almonds are described as a prized ingredient for the Pharaoh’s bread in the Bible? Explorers ate almonds while traveling the Silk Road between Asia and the Mediterranean. Franciscan Padres brought almonds to California in the 1700s.
Today, almonds continue to provide an abundance of benefits. Continue reading to learn more amazing and useful facts.
Almonds as a Source of Protein
Our bodies have about 10,000 proteins. They build muscles, bones, skin, and hair. They’re also essential for metabolism and the production of enzymes used for metabolic processes.
Weight loss relies on a healthy metabolism and the body’s ability to generate energy. An article from RBar Energy states that almonds provide 6 grams of protein per ounce.
Almond Nutrition Facts
Almonds are not only a great source of protein but are also packed with nutrients. In fact, almonds are number one on the list of superfoods.
Almonds can help decrease the risk of heart disease by lowering total and LDL cholesterol. They also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Please note that for this article, all nutrition facts are based on a one-ounce serving or 23 whole almonds. This also only describes a portion of the nutrients provided by one serving of almonds.
Calories
Most of us think of calories as the great enemy. In fact, our bodies need calories, which provide the energy we need to live and function. Almonds provide 164 kcal.
Carbs
Are you watching the carbohydrates in your diet? Almonds contain 6.11 grams of carbohydrates.
Calcium
Calcium is vital to protect our bones and prevent diseases such as osteoporosis. Almonds are a great source of calcium at 76.3 mg per serving.
How Many Almonds Should You Eat a Day?
In 2003, the FDA gave approval for almond labels to recommend eating 1.5 ounces each day. They’re allowed to state that almonds can decrease the risk of heart disease when combined with a low saturated fat and cholesterol diet. Almonds contain 14.2 g of total lipid (fat).
Can Dogs Eat Almonds?
Some of our dogs are a little nutty, but should we share our almonds with them? The answer is no. Even though almonds aren’t as toxic as other types of nuts, dogs can’t digest them.
This can lead to gastric intestinal problems. If your dog accidentally eats some almonds, watch for these symptoms:
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Lethargy
- Pain or discomfort
- Vomiting
Since nuts contain a lot of fat, dogs that eat nuts can have an increased risk of pancreatitis. This serious illness needs treatment by a veterinarian.
Almonds can also cause blockages in the esophagus, trachea (windpipe), or intestines. This is even more true in small breeds. Obstructions can require surgery and may cause death if not treated.
Seasoned almonds that contain salt can cause water retention and salt toxicity. So, let’s not share almonds with our best friends.
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