Almonds are among the healthiest foods in the world. Aside from its great taste and nutrition value; almonds, and specifically almond milk, are a healthy alternative to cow’s milk.
Whether you’re lactose intolerant or you simply prefer the taste of almond milk, grinding or juicing almonds is a great alternative that we should all give-a-try.
Almond milk also has great shelf life thanks to its type of protein, which is different from those found in cow’s milk. Since almond milk is not an animal product, it contains neither saturated fat nor cholesterol. Almond milk is lower in both fat and calories than reduced-fat cow’s milk. One cup of vanilla-flavored and sweetened almond milk contains about 90 calories and 2.5 grams of fat, compared to the 120 calories and 5 grams of fat in 1 cup of cow’s milk – though these numbers vary greatly by brand and type.
Here are 5 reasons why you should drink almond milk:
KEEPS YOUR BONES STRONG
Almond milk is rich in phosphorus, potassium and zinc. If you choose three servings per day of almond milk over the recommended three servings per day of dairy products, you can still meet your calcium requirements of 1,000 milligrams per day for men and 1,200 milligrams per day for women, which is important for optimal bone health.
LOW IN CALORIES, KEEPS YOUR HEART HEALTHY
Compared to regular milk, almond milk’s calorie content is significantly lower. Unlike regular cow milk, almond milk has no cholesterol. It’s also low in sodium and high in healthy fats (such as omega fatty acids, typically found in fish), which helps to prevent high blood pressure and heart disease.
MANAGES YOUR WEIGHT
The result of a recent study states that consuming an almond-enriched diet together with a low-calorie diet may be a more effective way to manage weight, compared to following a low-calorie diet that is accompanied by complex carbohydrate consumption.
MAKES YOUR SKIN GLOW
Almond milk contains vitamin E, which contains antioxidant properties essential to your skin’s health and assists in protecting it against sun damage.
KEEPS YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM IN CHECK
Almond milk contains almost one gram of fiber per serving, which is important for healthy digestion.
Source: http://www.livestrong.com/