Almond oil and it's benefits

Almonds are a satisfying food with many potential health benefits. The oil that comes from these delicious tree nuts is commonly used as a natural ingredient in skin and hair care, but few people realize that it may also be good for your health. This article uncovers how almond oil may benefit your health and how it can be used as a multipurpose, non-toxic beauty treatment. SUBSCRIBE NUTRITION Health Benefits and Uses of Almond Oil Written by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD on December 30, 2017 Almonds are a satisfying food with many potential health benefits. The oil that comes from these delicious tree nuts is commonly used as a natural ingredient in skin and hair care, but few people realize that it may also be good for your health. This article uncovers how almond oil may benefit your health and how it can be used as a multipurpose, non-toxic beauty treatment. What Is Almond Oil? Almonds are the edible seeds of the Prunus dulcis tree, more commonly known as the almond tree.

Although almonds are commonly referred to as nuts, they’re actually the seeds found at the center of the almond fruit, which closely resembles a peach. Almonds can be consumed whole, ground into flour and even made into non-dairy milk. They are very rich in fat, making them a perfect source of oil. Sweet almonds are the variety typically eaten and used to make foods, oils and cosmetics. Meanwhile, bitter almonds are believed to have medicinal properties, though they can be toxic if they’re not properly processed. Moreover, they’re not widely available. Potential Health Benefits of Almond Oil Whole almonds are thought help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and aid in weight loss, and almond oil may be good for your health as well. In fact, almond oil has been linked to a wide range of potential health benefits, including lowering the risk of heart disease and stabilizing blood sugar levels (10, 11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source).

May Help Keep Your Heart Healthy Almond oil consists of 70% monounsaturated fat, which has been researched for its effects on heart health. Monounsaturated fats have been shown to increase levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. HDL is a type of protein that carries cholesterol away from the arteries and transports it to the liver, where it is broken down and excreted from the body. Healthy levels of HDL cholesterol have been shown to help protect against heart disease (13). Both almonds and almond oil have also been shown to lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol (14Trusted Source). High levels of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol are considered risk factors for heart disease. Lowering these levels can help keep the heart healthy. In one small study, a diet rich in almond oil significantly lowered both LDL and total cholesterol levels, while raising HDL cholesterol by 6% (15).