The potential health benefits of almonds

Although natural products have been used as food since ancient days, there has recently been a worldwide increase in the use of natural products as medicine. The rationale for this increase has been escalating awareness amongst consumers and the scientific community of both the health benefits of fruits, nuts, and herbs and the possible undesirable side effects of many synthetic drugs. Nuts, in particular, have been an important part of the human diet since prehistoric times, used to prevent or treat many diseases. Generally, nuts are a rich source of several phytochemicals, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Nut phytochemicals have been associated with numerous bioactivities known to affect the initiation and progression of several pathogenic processes. Amongst the tree nuts, almonds are known to contain some of the highest levels of alpha tocopherol. Almonds are a rich natural source of proteins and dietary fiber, important for growth and tissue repair throughout the entire lifecycle. Epidemiological studies have indicated that almond consumption is beneficial in the treatment of hyperglycemia, cardiovascular disease, and hyperlipidemia. Furthermore,almond intake mitigates total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The potential health benefits of almonds will be summarized in this chapter.