February 16th is National Almond Day. Whether you are eating them by themselves, using almond milk, pasta, flour, butter, oil or meal, almonds offer a delicious flavor along with many health benefits. Almonds are one of the most heart-healthy foods on the market, packed with vitamin E, magnesium and fiber.
- According to a survey of 500 health professionals, almonds may be beneficial to a healthy lifestyle.
- According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.”
- Eighty percent of the world’s almonds are grown in California.
- Almonds are mentioned several times in the New and Old Testaments. They are revered as symbols of divine approval.
- Almonds are actually fruits, related to cherries and plums.
- Almonds quench your thirst for having something crunchy as being the crunchiest of all the dry-fruits.
- Almonds have long storage life and can be refrigerated for up to 2 years. The longer shelf life is due to the fact that they are rich in Vitamin E.
- India is a country where almonds are considered as ‘Brain food’ for the children.
- It takes 1000 pounds of almonds to make a 1 pint of almond oil.
- Chocolate manufacturers use around 40 percent of world’s total almonds in making delicious and mouth-watery chocolates.
- Almonds need really hot weather and cool winters to grow
- Almond growers rent bees for pollination and it’s one of the most costly issues for growers
- There are 98 published research papers to date (with 19 more in progress) on the health effects of almonds, in particular their effect on heart health, diabetes and weight management
- Almonds were one of the first foods awarded a qualified health claim in the US
- Almonds help to slow absorption of sugar and carbs
- Recent sudies show almonds eaten mid-morning can help moderate your blood sugar throughout the day
- In the mid-1700s, the Franciscan Padres planted almond trees to grace their missions along El Camino Real (The Royal Road) that stretches along the California coast from San Diego to Sonoma.
- Cinnamon-glazed almonds were President Clinton’s snack of choice at both the 1993 and the 1997 inaugurations.
- Native to the Mediterranean countries, the almond was introduced to America from Spain in 1769.
- The world’s largest almond factory is located in Sacramento, California and processes over 2 million pounds of almonds per day. California produces over 80% of the world’s supply of almonds and that chocolate manufacturers currently use about 40% of the world’s almonds and about 20% of the world’s peanuts.
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