Organic Raw Chocolate No Added Sugar Almond - Foodin - 50g

Whether you eat nuts raw or roasted, they provide you with great health benefits. 1. Lower risk of contamination Roasting or toasting the nuts can reduce the risk of contamination. Processing any food item at high temperatures, such as cooking, baking and roasting, helps to eliminate germs and miscreants that can appear in the produce. Roasted nuts are then more purified and safer to eat. 2. Easy digestion Roasted nuts are better for your digestive system. Cooked food is always easier to digest compared to raw food. When food is cooked or roasted, it will be more likely easier to break down in your stomach. 3. Better flavour Roasting or toasting makes nuts taste better. Roasting enhances the taste and texture of the nuts. Thanks to roasting, nuts are more crispy and crunchy and, therefore, more enjoyable to eat. 4. Roasted nuts nutrition Roasted nuts are good for you and provide great health benefits for your body and mind. They contain similar amounts (if no salt, oil or sugar was added) of protein, fibre and carbohydrates and calories as raw nuts however you must remember that roasting nuts may damage their healthy fat content and can slightly reduce their nutrients. Are there any risks of eating roasted nuts? Roasting some type of nuts in high temperatures can the lead to the formation of a harmful substance called acrylamide. Acrylamide is a chemical compound that can form in some foods during high-temperature cooking processes, such as frying, grilling, roasting, and baking. It is often found in cookies, cakes, bread, cereals, potato products such as crisps and chips, and roasted coffee. Although acrylamide was detected in roasted almonds and pistachios it was not found in macadamia nuts, walnuts or hazelnuts. Consuming roasted nuts in moderation should not be dangerous. 5. How to roast nuts at home? Heat up the oven up to 180 degrees C. Spread the nuts on the baking tray and roast them for about 5-10 minutes. All of nuts are great for roasting. The roasting time depends on the type of nuts. Tender nuts like walnuts, pecans, cashews or pistachios need a gentle treatment: from 5 to 8 minutes of roasting. Harder nuts like hazelnuts, peanuts, almonds and macadamias need a bit more time - from 8 to 10 minutes to get beautifully toasted. Nuts are ready when they start looking a bit darker (not too dark!) and have a lovely toasty smell. Roasting temperature has much greater impact on acrylamide formation than the roasting time. Roasting almonds at a temperature below 130°C will reduce acrylamide formation.

We know that almonds offer incredible benefits for human health, but now researchers have found more evidence that almonds are particularly great for our gut health. A healthy gut promotes immunity According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating a handful of almonds every day increases butyrate production. Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that improves gut health. In the gut, there are thousands of microorganisms that play an essential role in digesting nutrients. They can positively or negatively influence our health, including our digestive and immune systems. It all depends on the food we consume. Results of previous studies suggest that eating healthy foods can be great for the good bacteria in our gut. Almonds promote gut health & boost immunity A team of scientists from King's College London researched the influence of whole and ground almonds on the structure of gut microbes. The researchers recruited 87 healthy adults with some unhealthy habits to take part in the study. These were people eating unhealthy snacks like crisps, chocolate and sweets and already consuming less than the recommended amount of dietary fibre. Almonds as a healthy snack The researchers divided the participants into three groups and recommended snack change for a trial of four weeks. Group one - the participants replaced their unhealthy snacks with 56 g of whole almonds a day. Group two - the participants changed their snacks to 56 g of ground almonds daily. Group three - the control group where participants just ate energy-matched muffins once a day. Almonds increase the production of butyrate The study results show that butyrate was significantly higher among participants who ate almonds when compared to those who consumed the muffins. Butyrate is the primary source of fuel for the cells lining the large intestine (colon). When these cells are healthy and effective, the gut microbes flourish, creating a strong gut wall and all the essential nutrients to be absorbed. When the gut wall is weak, it quickly leads to inflammation, and the body cannot absorb all the nutrients it needs. Almonds can help improve constipation problems The researchers observed that eating more almonds can benefit those with constipation problems. Although no difference was observed in gut transit time (the time food moves through the gut), the whole-almond eaters experienced an extra 1.5 bowel movements per week compared to other participants. Commenting on the study results, Professor Kevin Whelan, Head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at King's College London, said: "Part of the way in which the gut microbiota impact human health is through the production of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate. These molecules act as a fuel source for cells in the colon, they regulate the absorption of other nutrients in the gut, and help balance the immune system. We think these findings suggest almond consumption may benefit bacterial metabolism in a way that has the potential to influence human health." Almonds are a great source of fibre The study results also show that consuming more almonds can improve people's diet, providing them with fibre, healthy monosaturated fatty acids, potassium and other important nutrients when compared to the control group who ate muffins as their daily snack. What can you do to increase butyrate levels? The best way to improve your gut microbiome and make it produce butyrate is to eat more plant-based products that are high in fibre, starch and pectin, including whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, fresh vegetables and fruits. Replace your bad snacking habits with natural healthy snacks. Buy almonds online at Wholefood Earth and boost your immunity before the cold season.

Here at Wholefood Earth, we’re absolutely nuts about Nuts! They are one of our favourite healthy snack alternatives and make a tasty addition to a healthy, balanced diet. But have you ever wondered, what exactly is a nut? And where do nuts come from? Well, we’re here to help answer all your nut related questions and help you find out more about the health benefits of this small but mighty food source. What is a Nut? Nuts are found all over the world, usually in warmer climates and are grown on shrubs and trees. But did you know that nuts are actually a type of fruit? In botanical terms, nuts are a particular kind of dry fruit that has a single seed, a hard shell, and a protective husk. However, from a culinary perspective, the term ‘nuts’ is much more relaxed and generally in line with what most people think are nuts — large, oily kernels found within a shell. The exception to this is peanuts, which aren’t technically nuts at all - they’re actually part of the legume family. One reason for this is the fact that peanuts grow underground instead of above ground. Nevertheless, most people still generally view them as nuts due to their similar characteristics and nutrition profile. What Are the Different Types of Nuts There are many different kinds of nuts, all of them come with unique nutritional benefits, and all are delicious in their own right. In general, the macronutrients of most nuts are very similar, but the micronutrients in the different types may slightly differ. Due to this, it’s best to consume a varied mixture of nuts in order to optimize the individual benefits of each different type - you can’t go wrong with a handful of nuts a day! Here’s a list of some of the most common and popular nuts – Almonds Brazil Nuts Cashew Nuts Hazelnuts Macadamia Nuts Peanuts Pecans Pine Nuts Pistachios Walnuts What Are The Health Benefits of Nuts? There are a multitude of health benefits you can enjoy from including nuts in your diet. Some people may think nuts are not good for you due to their high fat content, but it’s mainly healthier unsaturated fat that they contain. They also contain important nutrients such as protein, B vitamins, vitamin E and minerals, including iron, potassium, selenium, magnesium, zinc and copper. Nuts are a great source of fibre. Evidence suggests that a diet rich in fibre is associated with a lower risk of several chronic diseases including diabetes and heart disease. Increasing your fibre intake also helps support and regulate your digestive system. Adding nuts to your diet has also been associated with improved heart health. This is due to the fact eating nuts helps maintain the health of the arteries, reduces the build-up of plaque deposits and the risk of blood clots, whilst also balancing cholesterol. Nut consumption may also aid in weight loss, as long as you exercise portion control. Including nuts in your diet has been linked to reduced hunger and feeling fuller for longer. Some evidence even suggests that a nut rich diet may help to boost the number of calories burned at whilst resting. Are Nuts Good For You? In short, yes nuts (barring a serious allergy) are indeed very good for you! Despite the high fat and calorie content, nuts still provide an impressive amount of health and weight benefits. Research does show that by making nuts a regular staple of a healthy diet it can help regulate our weight and may even protect against diseases. Nuts are high in energy and are packed full of nutrients and minerals. Swapping out your meat and dairy for a plant-based protein such a nuts, is also recommended as a more sustainable way of eating to help our planet. It’s also a great way for people on a vegan or plant-based diet to get their daily protein in. Just remember to eat them in moderation, the daily recommendation for nuts is 30g a day which is approximately 20 Almonds, 15 Cashews or 10 Brazil nuts. Also make sure to pick nuts that are unsalted and without coatings, which can add extra fat, and sometimes sugar and salt. We suggest snacking on them raw or slightly toasting them in the oven – delicious! Luckily, here at Wholefood Earth we’ve got you covered for all your raw and organic nut needs.