Almonds have been one of the victims of the myth, and have been considered too fatty to be a healthy snack, but research has shown that the nuts actually lower blood cholesterol levels. 90 percent of the fats in almonds are unsaturated, and the nuts are high in protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. Hence those who want to keep check on sugar levels should snack on almonds. Those who fear weight gain should add almonds to their diet at-least twice a week.

1. Almonds help prevent osteoporosis and they regulate blood pressure.

2. Almonds nourish the brain and nervous system.

3. It is also know to enhance intellectuality and endurance.

4. You can use almond oil relieve the pain by applying it on strained muscles.

5. Almonds contain monounsaturated fats and some polyunsaturated fats and hence they help to lower the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or the bad cholesterol, while maintaining healthy high-density lipoproteins or good cholesterol levels.

6. Almonds have great health benefits in terms of healthy skin. Almonds prevent premature appearance of wrinkles, black heads, pimples and dry skin as well. A regular massage with almond oil will help you to get a glowing and flawless complexion.

7. Almonds have an extremely high nutritive value since they contain copper, iron and vitamins and are hence used as a remedy for anemia.

8. Almonds (those which are not skinned) are also beneficial in treatment of constipation since they increase the fiber content of the food.

9. Almonds also have antioxidant properties and are hence very beneficial for the health.

10. Almonds contain Alpha-Tocopherol, which is a major source of Vitamin E and is hence really great for healthy hair and skin.

11. Almonds also increase the blood flow to the vital organs and are also used as aphrodisiacs.

12. Almonds provide nutrients that help to increase the bone mineral density, which helps to strengthen the skeletal system. So it can also be considered as a remedy to cope up with osteoporosis in the elderly.

13. Almonds decrease the after-meal rises in blood sugar and hence help in maintaining a healthy blood sugar level.

14. Almonds have vitamin E and D which helps prevent premature appearance of wrinkles, black heads, pimples and dry skin.

15. Although nuts are known to provide a variety of cardio-protective benefits, many avoid them for fear of weight gain. A prospective study published in the journal Obesity shows such fears are groundless. In fact, people who ate nuts at least twice a week were much less likely to gain weight than those who almost never ate nuts.

16. As almonds are high in protein, around 18 percent, and contain virtually no carbohydrates, they are ideal for diabetics, pre-diabetics or anyone with blood sugar issues.

17. Nutritional values per cup of almonds

• Protein  6.00 gm
• Carbohydrate     6.00 gm
• Fat   15.00 gm
• Saturated Fat     1.50 gm
• Mono Fat     10.00 gm
• Poly Fat     3.00gm
• Dietary Fiber      3.00 gm
• Soluble Fiber      0.057 gm
• Insoluble Fiber     2.436 gm
• Sugar      2.00 gm
• Vitamin E      10.00 IU
• Thiamin     0.06 mg
• Riboflavin      0.22 mg
• Niacin      0.95 mg
• Vitamin B     6 0.03 mg
• Foliate      17.00 mcg
• Vitamin B      12 0.00 mcg
• Biotin      6.00 mcg
• Potassium      207.00 mg
• Iron       1.00 mg
• Calcium      75.00 mg
• Magnesium       84.00 mg
• Phosphorous     147.00 mg
• Zinc      1.00 mg
• Copper     0.27 mg
• Calories      170.00