It is true that nuts, in general, are a great alternative to sugary snacks and junk food. However, you need to keep in mind that not all nuts are created equal, and the same goes for nut butter. In a previous article, we listed the Best Alternatives to Peanut Butter, and one of those is almond butter. It is one of the best kinds of nut butter to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle due to its long list of health benefits.
If you are wondering about the good things that you can get from almond butter, you’re in the right place.
Top 12 Benefits of Almond Butter
1. Rich in Vitamin E
Vitamin E is one of the most beneficial vitamins for our body. Good thing, almonds and almond butter are packed full of this essential vitamin. Vitamin E is known to be a natural antioxidant. It helps protect the cells in your body from being damaged by free radicals. It prevents the free radicals from oxidizing the DNA of the body and as well as the protein cells. Generally, almond butter has about four times the amount of vitamin E compared to peanut butter, which is almost half the required daily intake.
2. Contains Magnesium
Another essential nutrient that almond butter contains is magnesium. It plays a big role in supporting the metabolism of the body. In addition to that, it also helps stabilize blood sugar levels and as well as blood pressure. Two tablespoons of almond butter already have 90 milligrams of magnesium, which is 25% of the daily recommended amount for adults.
3. Contains Healthy Fats for a Healthy Heart
Even though almond butter has a high amount of fat, these kinds of fats are heart-healthy. It has balanced saturated fat and unsaturated fat, together with countless nutrients. All of these can help reduce bad cholesterol or LDL in the body. By keeping your LDL in check, you can reduce your chances of acquiring heart disease or suffering from a stroke.
4. Great If You Want to Lose Weight
Since almond butter is rich in healthy fats, it can help level out your insulin levels. This makes it ideal for maintaining a healthy weight, and it also aids in weight loss. There was a study conducted by the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders. They researched two different diets within 6 months.
A group was provided with a strict low-fat and low-calorie diet with only 18% of their daily calories containing fat. Another group was supplemented with almonds to increase their fat percentage. The second group loses more weight in 6 months. In addition to that, they also lost significantly more weight in their waistline compared to the first group.
5. Help Remove Bad Cravings
When feeling hungry, most people opt to eat junk foods and fast foods. Since almond butter is rich in nutrients, monounsaturated fats, fiber, and heart-healthy elements, all of these keep the body feeling fuller for a longer period, unlike junk foods that contain empty carbohydrates. Therefore, when you use almond butter as a bread spread, you can stay full for a longer period, reducing your cravings for junk foods.
6. Good For the Brain
Based on the Journal of Nutrition and Aging, in addition to folate and fiber, almonds also contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help delay age-related brain decline. It also acts as an antioxidant in the brain to reduce inflammation. It is also rich in vitamin B6, which helps produce neurotransmitter chemicals that help improve communication between brain cells. Lastly, almond butter has zinc, which is a mineral known to boost the immune system, preventing bacterial and viral infections that can damage the brain cells.
7. Good For Your Gut
Based on studies, almonds feed good bacteria living in your gut, which serves as prebiotics. These are types of dietary fiber that feed your gut with healthy bacteria. With this, all those healthy bacteria produce nutrients that make sure your digestive system is healthy. When you have a healthy gut, it also contributes to a strong immune system and as well as an improved mood.
8. Good for People With Diabetes
The Glycemic index is a value from 0 to 100 assigned to various foods. In short, this value determines how quickly your body converts the carbohydrates in food into glucose. According to a study, consumption of 2 ounces of almonds (almost 45 almonds) was linked with lower fasting insulin and glucose levels. Almond milk is a delicious and healthy alternative to butter and an excellent choice for people with diabetes. It may reduce the chances of glucose and insulin levels rising.
9. Treats Dark Circles
Almond butter is full of vitamin E, can also be called a skin-lightening agent. The oil in the butter penetrates deep into the skin and works on the pigmented cells. With daily use, it is easy to see a noticeable change in the color around your eyes.
All you need to do is blend raw almonds till they form a smooth paste. Apply the paste onto the dark circles, leave it on for 20 minutes, and then wash it off for great results.
10. Good For Skin Cleansing
Almond butter has the power to offer deep pore cleansing; the oil penetrates the pores and flushes out excess sebum and debris. This cleansing mechanism can also help in reduced acne caused due to clogged or blocked pores. This is normally good for people with dry skin.
All you got to do to cleanse your skin is make a fresh batch of almond butter and apply it to your skin. Now, take a wet cotton ball, and use it to cleanse your skin with gentle wipes. After a few wipes, you will start noticing debris coming out on the cotton ball. Afterward, when you are done cleansing, wash your face with warm water to avoid greasy skin.
11. Helps Reduce Wrinkles
Almond butter is an excellent way to reduce or treat signs of aging like wrinkles. The vitamin E in almonds helps promote collagen, which is responsible for the skin’s elasticity and helps in blemishes caused due to aging.
Make fresh almond butter by blending raw almonds till smooth, then add a few drops of olive oil into the blend and mix it till it becomes a paste. Applying this paste on the skin for 20 minutes and doing so twice a week has been reported to lead to less aging symptoms and wrinkles.
12. Good for Your Bones
A tablespoon of almond butter has about 50 to 60 milligrams of calcium and 45 milligrams of magnesium. Calcium is essential for the health of your bones, while magnesium helps the body absorb calcium better.
Conclusion
These are some of the benefits that you can get from almond butter. All of these are great reasons for you to include some almond butter in your diet. However, when choosing one, ensure that you pick an almond butter that does not contain lots of sugar, as that can be counterproductive to a healthy lifestyle. We hope this helped you learn more about the benefits of almond butter.
For more in-depth information about almond butter, click here.