Sarah EatonAre you searching for a healthier flour for your baking, or do you want a tasty gluten free alternative? Perhaps you want to cut out white flour, which has little nutritional value going for it. Almond flour to the rescue!
This substance is made out of almonds and only almonds, making it void of added and sometimes harmful ingredients in traditional wheat flours. Almond flour health benefits include warding off fatal diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. To find out what else this delicious and nutritious product can do for your health, read below.
Here are 5 almond four health benefits:
1. Boosts Heart Health
Most of the fat, more than 65 percent, in fact, in almonds flour is monounsaturated. That’s good for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels as well as promoting overall heart health. Moreover, scientists find that consuming almonds can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. It does this by keeping blood vessels healthy.
In the study, subjects ate 50 grams of almonds every day for a month. The results were extremely positive regarding their heart health. And whether you opt for whole almonds, almond flour or almond meal, this research indicates that eating almonds dramatically increases the level of antioxidants in the bloodstream, improves blood flow, and reduces blood pressure. All of these feats are crucial to heart health and can reduce the chances of developing heart disease. (1)
2. Helps Discourage Cancer Formation
Almond flour health benefits continue with the almond’s effect on colon cancer cells. Researchers at the University of California found that whole almonds as well as almond fractions reduce aberrant crypt foci in an animal model of colon cancer. If you’re wondering what aberrant crypt foci are, they’re clusters of abnormal tube-like glands found in the lining of the colon and rectum. They are some of the first colon changes that may lead to colon cancer.
However, according to the authors of the study, almond flour health benefits include the decrease of colon cancer risk. Additionally, almonds’ high healthy fat content is related to its anticancer properties. (2) This research indicates why almonds are one of the best cancer-fighting foods available.
3. Aids in Managing Blood Sugar for Diabetics
Regarding blood sugar control, diabetics can also reap almond flour health benefits. Overall, almonds are an excellent choice as part of a low-glycemic diabetic plan.
Furthermore, a 2006 study published in The Journal of Nutrition discovered that, for healthy individuals, almonds decrease the presence of insulin in the blood as well as oxidative damage. Subject groups in this study ate either almonds, potatoes, rice, or bread. Those who ate almond meal saw a decrease in insulin and blood sugar. Moreover, antioxidant levels in the blood also increased in those who ate the almond meal. (3)
Almond flour health benefits diabetics or those looking to watch their blood sugar by helping to lower glucose levels.
4. Encourages Healthy Weight Loss
Almond flour health benefits also include promotion of weight loss. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders examined the effects of almonds in comparison to complex carbohydrates. The study involved 65 adults who were either overweight or obese. Half of the participants consumed a low-calorie diet as well as three ounces of almonds daily. The other group consumed a low-calorie diet as well as a complex carb of their choice. Both groups consumed the same amount of calories and protein.
When the study ended, those who ate almonds saw a 62 percent greater reduction in weight. This was in comparison to the other group. Furthermore, they showed a 50 percent greater reduction in waist circumference as well as a 56 percent greater reduction in fat mass; both of these changes were also in comparison to the complex carb-eating group.
Researchers concluded that their findings indicate a low-calorie diet that include almonds improves health issues associated with metabolic syndrome, such as obesity. (4)
To reap almond flour health benefits, use it in a variety of nutritious recipes to help you reach a healthy weight.
5. Improves Energy Levels
Almond flour health benefits extend to your “get-up-and-go” as well! The combination of healthy fats, macronutrients as well as micronutrients make almond flour a fantastic choice to boost your energy. In particular, the flour contains energy creators such as riboflavin, manganese and copper. Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is essential when it comes to energy production, red blood cell creation, as well as cellular function, growth and development. (5)
And the trace minerals manganese and copper work with an enzyme called superoxide dismutase to deactivate free radicals in the mitochondria. This will ensure that your energy keeps flowing. (6)
Start reaping almond flour health benefits today!
Who says cookies can’t be healthy? Soak up almond flour health benefits by using it wherever you would use regular flour. Start with these delicious paleo almond date cookies!