Little effort, little benefit: why in India almonds are always soaked in water

Medicine in India goes back several thousand years. Their methods are often based on the use of natural remedies. To improve their health, Indians eat nuts, including almonds. This nut is very beneficial for the eyes, brain, and many other body functions.

Most people prefer to consume almonds raw or roasted, but soaked nuts provide the greatest benefits. It is very useful for all organs and systems of the body, as it contains many minerals, vitamins and beneficial antioxidants.

What is the difference between soaked almonds and raw almonds?

The main reason is that the soaked nut is much better in taste and texture, as the water softens the outer layer somewhat and makes it easier to consume. This is especially important for older people and children.

The outer brown coating of almonds contains tannins and phytic acid. Soaking the almonds ensures that these two substances do not interfere with the other beneficial components being absorbed properly.

Soaked almonds also taste much better due to the removal of the outer bitter layer.

Drying after soaking

After washing, the nuts are placed on a towel and dried naturally. If you want to get the effect of roasted nuts, you can dry them in the oven at 60–70°C. However, properly dried fruits, which can be stored for a long time, are dried at low temperature for 3-4 hours in the oven with the door ajar.

One serving of almonds is 23 almonds, which is 1 ounce, 1⁄4 cup, or about 1 handful.

Almonds are a healthy and tasty nut. Proper preparation for use will allow you to saturate the body with a maximum of useful substances. Just a few pieces a day, and you are guaranteed a boost of energy and mood.

How to properly soak nuts?

Soaking almonds is a fairly simple process. All you need is a bowl of water and a few nuts.

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Place the almonds in a bowl and add water until they are completely submerged. Leave for 8-12 hours or overnight. In the morning, drain the water. You can consume the nut with the skin softened or remove it. Dry the almonds with a paper towel.

It is best to consume nuts in the morning on an empty stomach. You can soak almonds in milk to get more nutrients.

How to soak

You should take one part of the nuts and pour two parts of hot boiled water, add 1 teaspoon of sea salt to 1 cup of almonds. Stir and leave for 12 hours in a place protected from sunlight, you can leave the container overnight. After this, the almond water is drained, the nuts are thoroughly washed and dried.

In general, the soaking time will depend on the structure of the fruit and its size, that is, it can vary. For example, eight hours are enough for walnuts and pine nuts to fully reveal their beneficial properties, and cashews will delight you with their revealed taste after just six. Legumes can also be soaked in a similar way.

Important! The soaked kernels must then be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to two months.

Weight control

Studies show that regular consumption of soaked almonds improves metabolic processes and promotes weight loss.

In addition, this product helps reduce bad cholesterol in the body and acts as a healthy low-calorie snack, satisfying nutritional needs and preventing weight gain. In addition, this product helps reduce the amount of water and fat mass in the body.

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Should almonds be soaked in water before eating?

Almonds are soaked to extract the maximum nutrients from the nuts. If you eat dried nuts, then when they enter the body they neutralize some processes in it, which prevents its full functioning.

After eating them, the pancreas enlarges, which is why the body feels heaviness and discomfort after eating, so it is better to soak any nuts before eating.

Did you know? The bitter taste of the nut is given by enzymes located inside the fruit, which prevent premature growth of the seed.

Improves brain function

Almonds are a good source of L-carnitine, which promotes the formation of new brain cells. These nuts are rich in phenylalanine, which is known to improve memory and overall cognitive function.

In addition, the presence of vitamins B6 and E ensures increased protein bioavailability for brain cells. Nuts also contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

The benefits and harms of using the product

Attention!

Almonds are a real storehouse of useful substances: after prolonged contact with water, they are all safely absorbed and have a beneficial effect on the body.

A complex of vitamins, minerals and biochemical compounds ensures the full functioning of all organs and systems:

• Heart: vegetable protein, potassium and monounsaturated fats ensure smooth functioning of the main organ, magnesium prevents heart pain.
• Vessels: vitamin E normalizes the condition of blood vessels, relieves inflammation in them, and together with calcium they ensure cleansing of blood vessels from cholesterol plaques.
• Blood pressure: potassium lowers blood pressure, and sodium maintains it at normal levels.
• Brain and nervous system: Vitamin B2 and L-carnitine regulate the functioning of nerve pathways in the brain, which is an excellent prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Folic acid strengthens the nervous system, prevents nervous breakdowns and depression.
• Bone tissue: phosphorus and other minerals, in close collaboration with vitamins, strengthen bones, thereby reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis, and making teeth strong and beautiful.
• Metabolism: riboflavin, copper and manganese accelerate metabolic processes, as a result, the process of weight loss starts.
• Skin and hair: fatty oils provide hydration to the skin, eliminating dryness, flaking and a feeling of tightness. These same substances nourish hair follicles and hair, enhancing their natural shine.
• Intestines: fiber helps to “push” feces in the intestines, which prevents constipation. Vitamin B17 prevents the development of malignant tumors in this organ.

Almonds pre-soaked in water have virtually no contraindications or side effects, but before consuming them you should remember that:

• This product should not be included in the diet of those who have a history of allergies to nuts and vegetable protein;
• overweight people need to monitor the amount of product they eat, since it is quite high in calories;
• Abuse of soaked almonds leads to rapid heartbeat and headaches.

Improves heart health

Almonds are rich in magnesium, potassium and protein. All of these substances are beneficial for heart health. When the nut is soaked, it retains all its beneficial properties.

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Potential Benefits of Soaking Almonds

Research shows that soaked almonds may benefit your health.

May be easier to digest

Almonds have a tough, hard texture that can make them difficult to digest ().

However, soaking softens it, potentially making it easier to digest (, ).

Almonds also contain antinutrients that can interfere with digestion and absorption of certain nutrients such as calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium (,).

While research shows that soaking can significantly reduce the levels of antinutrients in grains and legumes, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of soaking almonds or other nuts (,).

In one study, soaking almonds at room temperature for 24 hours reduced phytic acid levels—but by less than 5% ().

Another study found that soaking ground almonds in salt water for 12 hours resulted in a 4% reduction in phytic acid levels ().

Notably, an 8-week study of 76 adults found that soaking did not improve digestive symptoms. In addition, phytic acid levels in soaked almonds were the same or slightly higher than in raw almonds ().

Overall, research is mixed on whether soaking almonds reduces antinutrient levels or helps reduce digestive symptoms.

May increase absorption of certain nutrients

Soaking can make almonds easier to chew, increasing the availability of nutrients.

Research shows that breaking almonds into smaller pieces by chewing or grinding allows more nutrients, especially fats, to be released and absorbed (,).

In addition, digestive enzymes can break down and help absorb nutrients more efficiently (, ,).

However, one study found that soaking whole almonds had little effect on the availability of some minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc ().

In fact, when almonds were ground before soaking, the concentrations of these minerals decreased, even though phytic acid levels also decreased ().

Thus, soaking may aid fat absorption, but may conversely reduce mineral availability.

Some people like soaked almonds better

Soaking also affects the texture and flavor of the almonds.

Raw almonds are hard and crunchy, with a slightly bitter taste due to the tannins they contain ().

Once soaked, it becomes softer, less bitter, and creamier, which may be more appealing to some people.

Conclusion:

Soaked almonds have a milder, less bitter taste than raw almonds. It is easier to digest, which may increase the absorption of some nutrients. However, the evidence is mixed and more research is needed.

What do we have to do?

Many people wonder how to peel almonds. So, everything is actually very simple.

As a rule, the store sells dried nuts in shells. When eating almonds in their pure form, the almonds must be peeled. Also, peeled and roasted nuts (both whole kernels and crushed) are widely used in many culinary recipes, in the preparation of various cakes, cookies, marzipan, pastries and other dishes, both to improve the taste and as a decoration. In all recipes, it is recommended to pre-clean the nuts, since the peel can affect the quality of the finished product, noticeably deteriorating it.

How to peel almonds? Peeling nuts from husks at home is not the easiest or most enjoyable process. How to peel almonds without problems? This can be done in several ways.

Characteristics of almonds

The size of the almond tree is quite low and wide; it can reach 10 meters in height. Almonds are a close relative of peaches, apricots, cherries and plums. It is practically not grown in Russia, as it is very sensitive to low temperatures. The tree grows mainly in areas of Western Asia, America, North Africa and some parts of Europe: Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, France, Italy.

Almonds come in two main varieties. The first and most popular is the sweet variety. People buy it every day in stores. Marzipan and oil are made from it, which is used for beauty, healthy hair and skin.

A lesser-known variety of bitters, especially popular in the food industry, is used to produce flavorings and pharmaceuticals. Eating too much can be dangerous to your health as it has toxic properties, all of which are related to the amygdalin content. This compound turns into poisonous hydrogen cyanide in the body. An excess of this substance leads to poisoning and even death.

Almonds are a fairly high-calorie nut: 100 g contains about 580 kcal, the vast majority of which comes from fat (50 g per 100 g of product). This amount provides the daily requirement of an adult for this important substance.

Types and varieties

There are three types of almonds: thin-walled, bitter and sweet.

Common almond

This is the most common species, widely cultivated in Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, Crimea and the Caucasus. The shrub reaches 4 m in height, and the tree – up to 8 m, which is characterized by a lush openwork crown. The lifespan of the plant reaches 130 years. The flowers are large, white and pink in color. The leaves are narrow, pointed, rich light green. The fruits are covered with velvety skin and have a flattened shape; inside there is a stone with an edible stone. Flowering occurs in the last month of winter and lasts 2-3 weeks.

Varieties of common almonds: crumbly, sweet, bitter. This is the only species used in fruit growing. The most popular varieties include: White Sail, Pink Fog, Anyuta.

Steppe almond

This almond grows in Central Asia, Siberia and the European part of Russia. Tolerates frost and drought well.

Steppe almond is a low shrub up to 1.5 m tall, with a dense spherical crown. Its leaves are swampy on top and pale green below. The flowers of the plant are small, up to 3 cm in diameter, bright pink, collected in inflorescences. The flowering period is May, lasts 2-3 weeks. The fruits are covered with light velvety skin, small in size (up to 2 cm in length), ripen in August-September.

The lifespan of a culture ranges from 60 to 80 years.

Trilobed almond

Distributed in Northern China. The height of the tree is 5 m, the crown is spreading, up to 1.5 m in diameter. The shoots are dark gray above and gray below. The leaves are green with a yellowish tint. The flowers are crimson, dark pink or bright. The flowering period occurs in April-May and lasts up to 20 days. A distinctive feature of this plant is its winter hardiness and unpretentiousness. Easily tolerates frosts down to 20 degrees.

Ledebour almond

It is located in Altai. It is a small shrub up to 2 m tall with large dark green leaves and light pink flowers up to 4 cm in diameter. The plant blooms in May and is very fragrant. It begins to bear fruit no earlier than 11 years.

Almond Petunnikova

The homeland of the bush is the western Tien Shan. This is a dwarf plant with a crown diameter of no more than 0.8 m and a height of up to 1 m; it bears fruit at the age of 6. The fruits are red, covered with thick velvety skin. In the cold season, the shoots of a dwarf bush may freeze a little.

Bitter almonds contain amygdalin and a glycoside. For this reason, it poses a danger to the health of the body. Fifty nuts is a lethal dose for humans.

Chemical composition

The nutritional value of almonds is 609 kcal per 100 g. Based on the composition of fats, the grains are classified as “nutritious” foods. A handful of nuts covers 140% of the body's daily requirement for monounsaturated triglycerides. 100 g of almonds contain 67% of the daily value of magnesium and phosphorus, 56% of riboflavin and 35% of niacin.

Walnut pulp contains 35% healthy fats, and the rest is proteins and carbohydrates, dietary fiber and sugar.

Table No. 1 “Nutritional value of sweet almonds”Components Content per 100 grams of product, grams

Table No. 2 “Chemical composition of sweet almond varieties” Nutrient content in 100 grams of product, milligrams Vitamins MacroelementsMicroelements

Almond seeds are used to make oil, milk and flour, which are widely used in food, cosmetics and folk medicine. Sweet walnuts are consumed salted, roasted or raw. It is used in baked goods (dough, cookies, cakes, ice cream), meat and rice dishes. Whole roasted almonds are used to decorate baked goods, as well as to enhance the taste of sweets and chocolate. Crushed is added to butter, ketchup, pasta, jam, glazed cottage cheese and curd mass to give the products a nutty taste and aroma.

The benefits of vitamins for the body

• Precious minerals. Almonds are beneficial in a healthy diet as they are a source of calcium, which plays an important role in strengthening bones, minimizing the risk of joint and bone degeneration. Magnesium content has a positive effect on the nervous system, relieving chronic fatigue and stress.
• In addition, these nuts contain zinc, potassium and phosphorus. The first guarantees healthy hair and nails. Phosphorus is a building material for bones and teeth, and potassium improves heart function and supplies the brain with oxygen.
• Almonds for diabetic health. Eating almonds significantly reduces blood sugar and "bad" cholesterol (known as LDL cholesterol) in people with prediabetes. This reduces the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes.
• Boosts immunity and protects against cancer. Almonds also regulate water and electrolyte balance and counteract the accumulation of water in the body. In addition, walnuts included in the daily diet increase natural immunity and even protect against cancer. They owe their anticancer activity to the content of substances with antioxidant properties that fight free radicals. 100 g of almonds corresponds to approximately 2 mcg of carotenoids, as well as 25 mg of flavonoids.

Use of almonds in medicine

Almonds are often recommended for use for various diseases of the body. Since walnuts are good for blood vessels and the heart, they are recommended for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. – Almonds are rich in various beneficial microelements. In particular, calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. It contains many monounsaturated fats and choline, which help the liver and central nervous system remain functional for as long as possible. Almonds can be used as a cough remedy. Thanks to its high amount of antioxidants, it can act as an excellent anti-aging agent and prevent premature aging. Zinc strengthens the immune system and reproductive function (sperm health in men). A handful of almonds at the end of the meal will discourage the desire to eat a regular dessert. Almond oil can only be used for cosmetic purposes: it improves the condition of the skin and hair, says nutritionist, candidate of medical sciences Elena Solomatina.

Almonds for nausea during pregnancy

A pregnant woman should not forget to eat almonds. Firstly, walnuts contain a large amount of vitamins, especially folic acid, which is necessary for the proper development of the fetus. Secondly, a diet rich in almonds is effective in relieving heartburn and nausea during pregnancy. The product neutralizes stomach acid, thereby eliminating the unpleasant burning sensation.

Use of almonds in cooking

Almonds are consumed in different forms: fresh, roasted, salted. Nuts are added as a spice when making candies from pasta, chocolate, and liqueur. Almonds give dishes a delicate and refined taste. Fortified milk is made from almonds. In addition, people with lactose intolerance can also drink it. It is often consumed by vegetarians and vegans. For example, in Spain, a drink made from almond milk is called horchata; in France, horchata is prepared. Many desserts are based on almonds. Marzipan - sugar syrup is mixed with almonds, praline - walnuts are fried in sugar, nougat and macarons are prepared. Whole nuts are sprinkled with coconut and chocolate. Recently, almond butter has been used as an alternative to peanut butter. In Chinese and Indonesian cuisine, almonds are added to many meat dishes, salads and soups. Flourless Macaroons An easy and healthy snack. Ideal for healthy eating and dieting (gluten-free diet). Vegetarians can eat. Pairs well with breakfast tea and coffee and afternoon tea. It's quick and easy to prepare.

• Almonds – 210 grams
• Eggs (whites) – 3 pcs.
• Sugar – 250 grams

Soak almonds in warm water and grind in a blender. Place the baking sheet on a preheated (170 degrees) baking sheet. Beat egg white and sugar, add chopped almonds, stir everything. Place the mixture on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool the cookies and place them in a tin box.

For weight loss and beauty

Although almonds are high in calories, they are recommended for people who want to maintain a slim figure and want to lose weight. Based on research, it has been found that consuming it in reasonable quantities does not affect weight gain and even helps reduce fat in the belly and leg area. In addition, it must be said that almonds suppress the feeling of hunger and give a feeling of fullness (thanks to fiber, good fats and proteins).

Unless there are contraindications, almonds should be part of your daily diet as they provide many health benefits. Proper consumption of almonds helps preserve the beauty and freshness of your face for a long time. Supports the fight against acne, launches regeneration and rejuvenation processes. A positive consequence of eating walnuts is the beauty of hair and the prevention of inflammation.

Artificial drying methods

To carry out the fire procedure, special dryers are used.
Air enters the device naturally using powerful fans. The nuts are treated with hot air and heated on each side. It will take a couple of days. For large volumes of raw materials, you can use channel sieves. The nuts are washed, wiped with a cloth and loaded into a device with heated air inside. Moving in the sieves, the fruits dry out. Fire drying should be done at a temperature of 55 or 57 degrees.

Oven and microwave for drying nuts

Experienced housewives know how to properly dry pine nuts at home. Walnuts and hazelnuts are also dried. The difference will be at what temperature the process occurs.

It is permissible to dry nuts in the oven, preheating it to 90 degrees. The process will take two to two and a half hours. When the oven is turned off, the nuts remain until they cool.

Before placing the purified product in an electric oven, the baking sheets are covered with cooking foil, onto which the raw materials are poured. You need to dry walnuts in the oven at 180 degrees for only 10 minutes. After five minutes, the raw materials are stirred.

At home, small quantities of walnuts can be dried in the microwave. Unshelled dried walnuts can be stored for a long time.

Before drying nuts without shells, you need to wash them. When the water has drained, the fruits are placed in the mold in one layer. Drying must be done at a set power of 750 W. 8 minutes is enough. Microwave-dried walnuts last for a couple of hours on a towel spread on the table. The kernels should have a light brownish tint.

It is advisable to store walnuts in a glass jar, fabric bags or cardboard boxes. The container will need to be washed and dried in advance. Plastic bags are not suitable; the products in them will go rancid. They can be stored in the house for up to a year; in the refrigerator they can be stored for up to 4 years.

When is the best time to eat nuts?

You definitely shouldn't eat nuts in the evening. They have a stimulating effect on the body and brain - perhaps due to the high content of B vitamins, perhaps because they are poorly digested and the body is forced to become more active, perhaps for some other reason. I don’t remember exactly what explanations I found for this. In general, there may be problems with falling asleep and staying asleep. And yes, I noticed this effect myself. So it is best to eat them in the morning or afternoon.

Summarize

• Soaking almonds can improve their digestibility and increase the absorption of certain nutrients. You may also prefer the flavor and texture of soaked almonds.
• However, there is no need to soak these nuts for additional health benefits.
• Both soaked and raw almonds contain many important nutrients, including antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats.

The material is based on scientific data. The numbers in parentheses (1, 2, 3) represent clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific articles. Prepared by specialists for informational purposes only. It should not be used as a guide for treating any medical condition and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you become ill or experience any symptoms, you should not self-medicate and should always consult a doctor.

Is washing necessary and why?

Packaged almonds

Raw almonds packaged at the factory must be washed. Many people believe that if a product is sold in its original packaging, then it is absolutely pure. This is wrong.

Although sanitary standards are observed at the industrial enterprise, the finished product cannot be called absolutely clean. Almonds receive contamination while passing through the processing line - through:

• crushing machines;
• sieves;
• transportation lines.

Dust, machine oil residues and other dirt may appear on the surface of the nuts.

Companies that produce premium quality products wash almonds before packaging. The label of such a product usually indicates that it has already been washed and is completely ready for use.

Important!

If packaged almonds are fried or glazed, they do not need to be washed.

Bulk

Almonds purchased in bulk at the market or in a store must be washed:

1. At market traders, the product is left in the open air and dust and dirt get on it.
2. Loose goods are often touched by hands, scattered and dropped, so that various viruses and pathogens may be present on the surface of almonds.
3. To ensure that large volumes of kernels are well stored, they are often treated with chemicals that repel pests and prevent mold and rot.
4. If stored improperly, the product may harbor pests: midges, moths, rodents. Pests leave waste products, pathogenic bacteria and helminth eggs on the surface of the kernels.

Is it possible to wash shelled pine nuts?

Before use, pine nuts are washed with water and then roasted in the oven. ... Peeled nuts purchased in a store or market must be rinsed with warm, but not hot, water before use.

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Preparation for the procedure

1. Before you begin the soaking procedure, you need to inspect the nuts to ensure they are suitable for consumption. All items with damage, mold or other defects must be discarded.
2. High-quality specimens are thoroughly washed under running water using a colander or sieve.
3. Upon completion of the procedure, you need to allow excess water to drain from the nuts.

How many nuts can you eat per day?

The first information I received on this matter a long time ago was that you can eat no more than 100 grams of nuts per day, because they are very high in calories. I’m not inclined to be overweight, so the calorie content didn’t scare me, and sometimes I ate too much on nuts, not counting exactly how many of them went into me.

However, later I heard about an even smaller figure - 40-50 grams, and not so much nuts to eat in one meal, but for the whole day. The explanations for this were already more relevant for me: that they are difficult to digest and create a large load on the liver. I am not in perfect condition yet, and my digestion is not yet stable, so I decided to eat nuts within this amount. And indeed the liver became noticeably calmer. In addition, very quickly and in principle I stopped wanting to eat a lot of nuts - now sometimes I can’t even eat 50 grams. In general, I started using them less often; now I don’t eat them every day—I just don’t feel like it.