Soaked almonds are an excellent addition to the everyday diet for obvious reasons. Loaded with diversified nutrients comprising dietary fibre, vitamin E, Omega-3 fatty acid, protein, and beyond, soaked almonds are undeniably superfood for all ages.
How to Soak Almonds
Soaking almonds is a cakewalk. Here is a step-by-step process to soak almonds:
- Put a few almonds (6-8) in a bowl
- Wash them thoroughly and then add drinking water to a bowl and soak them
- You may sprinkle 1 tsp of salt for every 1 cup of nuts (optional)
- Leave the covered bowl to sit on the countertop overnight
- Drain and rinse almonds
- You may peel the skin of almonds to relish a smoother texture
- You may pat them dry using a hygienic paper towel or may consume them immediately after rinsing them
If you are fond of a crunchier texture, dry almonds either by using a dehydrator or in an oven. In case you are inclined to store almonds, simply store them in an airtight container and keep them in a dry place away from direct sunlight.
Soaked Almonds Calories
One almond contains 7 calories. In one whole cup of soaked almonds, the calorie count stands at 827.
Below is a precise soaked almonds nutrition breakdown:
- Fats: 0.61g
- Carbohydrates: 0.24g
- Proteins: 0.26g
Soaked Almonds Benefits
Integrating almonds into the morning regime can provide you miraculous health benefits as they are enriched with a multitude of vitamins, healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants. Here are the major soaked almonds benefits:
1. Facilitates Easy Digestion
There are myriad reasons that compel people to prefer soaked almonds instead of raw almonds. Easy to chew and digest, the benefits imparted by almonds increase when soaked as soaked almonds release the enzyme lipase, which assists in the process of digestion.
2. Supports Weight Loss
Soaked almonds do release various enzymes, including lipase. This enhances metabolism and supports weight loss. People who wish to lose weight often integrate soaked almonds into their diet.
3. Enhances Nutrients Absorption
When almonds are soaked, it facilitates digestive enzymes to break down. Due to the same, the fibre and antioxidants benefits get enhanced besides the nutrient availability. Also, one of the benefits of almonds soaked in water is that it does help in the removal of impurities like tannin and phytic acid. These antinutrients reduce the absorption of minerals; therefore, soaking almonds ensures that it does not thwart the absorption of certain nutrients.
4. Improved Taste and Texture
Soaking almonds overnight helps get rid of a slight bitterness that exists in raw almonds. Also, the buttery texture tastes better than the hard raw almonds.
5. Improve Brain Functionality
Enriched with vitamin E, soaked almonds help preserve memory for an extended time. They boost agility due to the increased bioavailability of protein to the brain’s cells. This brainfood also helps keep cognitive decline at bay as it contains phenylalanine known to enhance memory. It has been observed that integrating soaked almonds in the diet helps in keeping Alzheimer's disease away by increasing the levels of ACh (acetylcholine), a neurotransmitter that helps enhance memory. Moreover, soaked almonds also contribute to effective brain development due to Omega-6 and Omega-3.
6. Lowers Cholesterol Levels
These days, silent heart attacks are rising due to hectic lifestyles and junk food culture. Integrating a handful of almonds into your morning routine can go a long way in reducing bad cholesterol named "LDL" while sustaining the good cholesterol named "HDL."
7. Improves Blood Sugar Levels
It is the low level of magnesium that contributes to low blood pressure. When you intake soaked almonds, it helps balance the magnesium level due to containing a higher quantity of magnesium. This, in turn, helps regulate blood pressure and manage the level of blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
8. Enhances Skin Health
Rich in vitamin E, soaked almonds help protect skin from free radicals that are known for their notorious skin-damaging properties. Soaked almonds also help delay ageing while imparting you a radiant and blemish-free glow.
9. Shield Against Cell Damage
One of the key reasons for skin ageing and skin damage is oxidative damage. Since almonds are empowered with varied minerals and vitamins, including vitamin E, they safeguard skin against cell damage as vitamin E is reckoned as a powerful antioxidant.
10. Improves Hair Health
Hair health is no less important than skin health. Soaked almonds not only do wonder for your skin, but they play a pivotal role in enhancing overall hair health. Hair masks prepared using soaked almonds add lustre and shine to the hair by imparting them required hair nutrients. Soaked almonds contain Vitamin E that is known for excellent conditioning properties. So when consumed daily, it does help in controlling hair fall and preventing hair damage caused by an array of external pollutants.
11. Beneficial During Pregnancy
It becomes essential to ensure the required vitamins and minerals intake during pregnancy. Being an excellent source of folates, soaked almonds help increase the possibility of natural labour and contribute to the baby’s healthy growth when inside the womb by keeping risks like neural tubes and congenital heart defects at bay.
12. Boosts Overall Energy Level
Enriched with riboflavin and potassium, soaked almonds enhance the body’s metabolism, thereby boosting stamina and overall energy level. It is no wonder that people who work out turn to soaked almonds to manage their energy levels.
13. Prevents Cancer
Integrating soaked almonds into your diet helps prevent cancer due to Phytic acid’s antioxidant properties. Moreover, soaked almonds also help in getting rid of constipation and stomach-related disorders, thereby preventing liver cancer.
14. Soaked Almonds Benefits for Skin
While the external skin-enhancing products may be laden with detrimental chemicals and ingredients, soaked almonds help your skin to obtain desired skin benefits naturally.
Right from delaying ageing to protecting from free radicals, they have a lot to offer with their vitamin E, magnesium, protein, and antioxidant-rich content. Moreover, when you apply soaked almond water to your face, you can see a visible difference in the face in terms of brightness.
15. Benefits of Eating Soaked Almonds Empty Stomach
When anything consumed at the right time does contribute to enhancing health, the same holds in the case of soaked almonds as well. When you intake their empty stomach, they help maintain the energy level throughout the day while keeping the cravings of unhealthy snacking at bay. Almonds are rich in vitamin E, protein and magnesium, so when consumed on an empty stomach, they enhance the pace related to the absorption of nutrients.
Soaked Almonds for Weight Loss
High in protein and low in carbohydrates, soaked almonds support your weight loss goals. Foods like almonds that contain protein, fibre, and fat, help you feel fuller for a longer duration and thereby help curb extra calories. They enhance the feeling of fullness by increasing metabolism hence curbing the practice of unhealthy snacking due to being calorie-dense and containing monounsaturated fats. Loaded with proteins, they help in developing lean muscle mass.
How to Eat Soaked Almonds?
You may either peel the skin of almonds to delight in the soft texture, or you may dry them in an oven or by using a dehydrator. If you aim to take the taste quotient to the next level, you may experiment with the uses of soaked almonds by integrating them into a variety of dishes. For instance, you may add soaked almonds to a glass full of milk or a bowl of oats. You may also add them to a bowl of cornflakes, milk smoothies, and milkshakes.
Soaked Almonds Vs. Raw Almonds: What Is Better?
Choosing between raw almonds and soaked almonds is a matter of individual preference in terms of taste and healthier options. However, the majority of people prefer soaked almonds. They taste softer and better when peeled as water absorption softens the hard surface and texture of almonds. Soaked almonds also help in the absorption of various nutrients. Also, it is easier to digest soaked almonds than raw almonds.
Also Read: Almond milk vs Regular milk vs Soy milk
Summing Up on Soaked Almonds Benefits
The secret to maintaining good health lies in meeting the recommended nutrient needs through the food daily. If a diet is nutrient deficient, then it may impact the life quality while triggering health ailments.
This is where the benefits of soaked almonds and walnuts, among other healthy nuts, come into the picture as they help the body maintain sufficient nutrients by helping the body replenish. Especially when almonds are soaked before consumption, they help maintain energy levels, boost heart health and overall immunity, besides imparting numerous health benefits.
FAQs
1) How Many Soaked Almonds to Eat a Day?
Anything in excess does harm other than doing good, and almonds are no exception to it. Health experts recommend that the daily intake limit of soaked almonds should be 6-8 almonds.
2) What Happens if We Eat Soaked Almonds Daily?
There are several benefits of eating soaked almonds daily. They help with weight loss, protect against cell damage, regulate blood pressure and cholesterol level. They boost brain function and impart impressive hair and skin benefits due to containing vitamin E.
3) Can We Drink Water in Which Almonds Are Soaked?
Yes, you can drink water in which almonds are soaked. Generally, the majority of people prefer getting rid of water in which almonds have been soaked. However, there is no harm in drinking water in which almonds are soaked if almonds have been washed thoroughly with clean water.
4) How Many Hours Should You Soak Almonds?
To ensure the proper absorption of nutrients, health experts suggest soaking almonds for 8–12 hours overnight.
References
- B N Ames, M K Shigenaga, September 1993; Oxidants, antioxidants, and the degenerative diseases of aging - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC47258/
- L H Kushi, K A Steinmetz, A R Folsom, September 1994; Reduced risk of colon cancer with high intake of vitamin E: the Iowa Women's Health Study - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8364919/
- M F Ryan, January 1991; The role of magnesium in clinical biochemistry: an overview - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2024929/
- Richard D Mattes, 2008; The energetics of nut consumption - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18296372/
