Almonds-Learn the surprising benefits of this healthy snack!

Almonds are a great snack with lots of health benefits. The next time you get a craving for something salty or sweet, try some whole almonds! Just one quarter of a cup has 41% of the daily value recommended for Vitamin E. Vitamin E helps your body to digest fat properly. A deficiency in Vitamin E can be very dangerous and lead to miscarriage, heart disease, impaired vision and loss of muscle mass. Almonds are also rich in magnesium and dietary fiber. Magnesium is mainly found in the bone and inside cells of body tissues and organs. It is needed for keeping the heart rhythm steady and supporting a healthy immune system. Magnesium also regulates blood sugar levels and promotes normal blood pressure. It is excreted through the kidneys and magnesium has also been shown to help prevent and manage hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Magnesium can also be found in green vegetables and fish; however almonds are one of the greatest and most natural sources of magnesium. Magnesium allows the body to circulate blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body with less strain. Dietary fiber, also one of almonds' greatest benefits, is necessary for proper bowel function and digestion. Most American's only consume 5-10 grams of dietary fiber per day, which affects the ease and rate of bowel movements. Just a quarter of a cup of almonds provides 20% of the necessary fiber your body needs each day. Almonds are high-fat; however they are good for your health. Like any food, they need to be consumed in moderation. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, which have actually been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Almonds also lower the LDL or "bad" cholesterol because of the high level of antioxidants found in vitamin E. Almonds are also rich in Potassium, an important electrolyte that is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. The healthiest almonds are the whole ones with skins. The skins have flavanoids which work with the antioxidants in Vitamin E to double the amount and power of the antioxidants. Also, twenty flavanoids have been identified in the skins of almonds alone. Almonds healthy fats can also be helpful to lose weight. A diet with calorie consumption of 39% fats (25% of it being monounsaturated such as that of almonds) compared to other diets that are high in complex carbohydrates, was shown to have greater reductions in weight, waistlines, body fat, total body water and systolic blood pressure. Many people are reluctant to add almonds to the daily diet because of their high fat content. However, a recent study proved that by adding just 2 ounces of almonds to the daily diet participants were found to have higher health-promoting monounsaturated fats, fiber, vegetable protein, vitamin E, copper and magnesium. Almonds have also been known to help prevent gallstones. These tasty treats are also concentrated with protein. A quarter cup of almonds provides 20% more protein that an egg. Almonds are actually the pit or seed of the almond tree fruit. Almonds are classified into two categories; sweet and bitter. The longest shelf life belongs to almonds still in their shell. They need to be stored in a tightly sealed container in a cool and dry place. Almonds are also great in salads, on top of ice cream, yogurt, in breakfast cereals, with chicken, and with pancakes! They are also delicious on their own and very good for you!